Published: July 23, 2008 08:18 pm      

House saves highway funds

WASHINGTON — Action by the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday will save more than $120 million in threatened federal highway funds currently earmarked for a number of West Virginia projects, including the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway.

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., helped pass House Resolution 6532, or the Highway Trust Fund Restoration Act, which will save $120 million in highway funds earmarked for West Virginia, and an estimated 4,154 transportation related jobs.

“The infusion of funds provided by this bill will allow work to continue on the I-73/74 corridor, Route 10, the Coalfields Expressway, the New River Parkway, and the Shawnee Parkway as authorized in the 2005 transportation bill, which I helped to craft,” Rahall said in a press release. “Continued updating and maintenance of our highway system is needed to provide safe, efficient transportation, to strengthen America’s economy, and meet West Virginia’s infrastructure needs.”

While Congress is now working on drafting the new Highway Trust Fund bill for 2009, the action by the House Wednesday saves money already earmarked for highway and transportation projects under the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, also known as the SAFETEA legislation, for fiscal year 2009.

“Without this bill, we would have lost $120 million in highway funding in West Virginia,” Lara Cottingham, a spokeswoman for Rahall, said.

The legislation also keeps funding earmarked through the 2005 SAFETEA bill in place for the King Coal Highway, the Coalfields Expressway and the Shawnee Parkway.

Rahall said American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials have indicated a failure by lawmakers to enact the bill would lead to a $14 billion, or 34 percent, reduction in federal highway investment for fiscal year 2009, which Rahall said would be “devastating.”

“Without this bill, West Virginia would stand to lose nearly $120 million in highway funds and an estimated 4,154 transportation related jobs,” Rahall said.

The new Highway Trust Fund bill lawmakers are currently working on is expected to include new federal funds for local projects, including the King Coal Highway and the Coalfields Expressway.

“Construction of safer, more modern highways continues to be one of the greatest needs or our region and one of my highest priorities in Congress,” Rahall added. “As part of my Three Ts Agenda, I have been a long-time advocate of highway infrastructure investment to open up new economic avenues. I will continue to work to ensure full funding of our highway system, which is so important to West Virginia’s economic outlook.”

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com