Murtha: House Passes Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

Press Release

Murtha: House Passes Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill

Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, announced that last night the House of Representatives passed a $50.7 billion fiscal year 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill that includes funding for local economic development and transportation priorities.

The appropriations bill includes $300,000 for the Armstrong County Belmont Complex, located in Kittanning. This multi-purpose community center provides recreational opportunities and conference/meeting space to local residents, schools and organized sports. A 2003 fire damaged much of the building and funds are needed to make continual interior and exterior renovations and to make the facility handicap accessible.

"The Belmont Complex attracts visitors from around our region whose patronage boosts the local economy," commented Murtha. "The reconstruction and renovation of this facility is important for recreational needs, organizational meeting space, and the county's ability to attract new businesses."

Also included in the appropriations bill is $200,000 for the Greene County Community Center. This funding will be used for construction, renovation, and build-out of multi-purpose community and recreational facilities in Greene County, creating an engine for economic growth that will attract new businesses and families to the area.

The appropriations bill also includes $1,250,000 to make improvements and upgrades to State Route 21 in Fayette County. The project will widen the existing roadway to four-lanes to increase safety, reduce traffic, and provide for future economic development.

Also included in the appropriations bill is $500,000 for State Route 21 intersection improvements at Junction Deli in Greene County. The Junction Deli intersection is one of the busiest and more dangerous intersections in the county so plans are under way to make improvements that will reduce the number of accidents and also make the area more conducive for future commercial and residential growth.

"These improvements to State Route 21 will provide increased safety to travelers between Uniontown and Waynesburg and create further economic development for our region," said Murtha.

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill also makes key national investments into:

* Highway Infrastructure: $40.2 billion, $631 million above the President's request, to improve and maintain our nation's aging highway infrastructure.
* Airport Modernization, Safety and Efficiency Grants: $3.6 billion, $850 million above the President's request, to ease congestion and prepare our nation's airport infrastructure to handle an anticipated 1 billion passengers by 2015
* Amtrak: $1.4 billion, $600 million above the President's request, to provide capital and operating assistance to maintain a national passenger rail system.
* Community Development Block Grants: $4 billion, $963 million above the President's request, to fund community and economic development projects in 1,180 localities.
* Housing for the Elderly: $734.5 million, $159.6 million above the President's request, for the acquisition, rehabilitation or construction of housing for low-income elderly people.

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