Letter to the Hon. Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation - Prioritize I-11 in Infrastructure Package

Letter

As Chairman of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure and a senior member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I write to you today regarding a transportation project of national significance, the future Interstate-11 (I-11). I want to thank you again for meeting with me in my office and our discussion at your confirmation hearing, and I appreciate the conversations we have had about the importance of I-11. I look forward to partnering with you on this effort and am pleased with the Administration's willingness to engage Congress on moving forward important infrastructure projects that will spur economic growth, commerce, and tourism to benefit America and states like Nevada.

It is my understanding that the Trump Administration plans to put forth a legislative package on infrastructure in the coming months. Representing one of the fastest growing states in the nation, I share your desire to facilitate the investments in our nation's transportation system, and the expansion of the National Highway System is a critical component of our infrastructure needs. I respectfully request that you prioritize investments on projects identified as high-priority corridors of the National Highway System in statute, which would include I-11, in any legislative proposal. The future of I-11 is critical to Nevada, and I remain committed to advancing this important project in any infrastructure package that comes before Congress. Connecting Phoenix, Las Vegas, and northern Nevada will spur long-term economic development, create jobs, and bolster international trade, travel, and tourism in the southwestern United States.

In 2015, when Congress passed the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Public Law 114-94), it made clear on a bipartisan basis that I-11 was a high priority corridor of national significance. With the mountain west region, including Nevada, expecting a population surge of 32 million residents between now and 2030, it is imperative that I-11 serves as an artery of commerce, and connecting three of the largest cities in the west will expand opportunities for tourism and trade that will benefit our nation as a whole.

Thank you again for your partnership in advancing important Nevada infrastructure priorities. It has been a pleasure working with you and your team at the Department of Transportation, and I look forward to continuing that work. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any further questions or if I can do anything to be helpful.

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