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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 3/14/12
U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC) announced that the Senate today approved the Surface Transportation bill, which authorizes $109 billion for key federal transportation programs over the next two years, including more than $2.12 billion for North Carolina. Hagan voted in support of the bipartisan legislation, which passed the Senate by a vote of 74 to 22. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
“Today I was proud to vote for the federal highway funding bill, which makes critical investments in transportation and infrastructure in North Carolina and across the country,” said Hagan. “This bill is also an economic engine. Studies have shown that for every $1 billion spent on infrastructure, 11,000 to 30,000 jobs are created – jobs North Carolina desperately needs.
“North Carolina currently receives only about 92 cents for every dollar our citizens pay into the Highway Trust Fund. This legislation ensures that at least 95 percent of our payments to the Highway Trust Fund will come back to our state – nearly 3 percent more than we currently receive. These funds will be used to improve our roads, bridges and mass transit systems – projects that will put North Carolinians back to work and help American businesses compete in the global economy. This bill was the product of a bipartisan effort between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, and I urge the House to take up and pass this bill without delay.”
Highlights of the Surface Transportation bill:
· Streamlines the New Starts Program, which helps fund major transit projects such as Charlotte’s LYNX light rail service.
· Streamlines and increases funding for the rural formula grant program. In FY2010, North Carolina received $47.61 million in rural transportation grants, more than any other state except California.
· Creates a new Transit-Oriented Development Pilot Program, which was taken from a stand-alone bill that Hagan co-sponsored with Senators Bennet(CO) and Warner (VA). The new program authorizes $20 million in FY2012 and FY2013 for competitive grants that will help communities develop and plan public transportation projects that enhance economic development, increase transit ridership, and promote multi-modal connectivity and accessibility.
· Increases funding for mass transit. In FY2010, North Carolina transit systems served 62.6 million, an 11 percent increase over FY2007.
· Authorizes $134 million over the next two years for a ferry program important to North Carolina. The Ferry Boat Discretionary (FBD) Program provides grants to help pay for the construction of ferry boats and terminal facilities. Six North Carolina projects have received $10.1 million from this program over the past four years.
· Streamlines federal transportation programs and accelerates project delivery.
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