Sen. McConnell and Members of Kentuckians for Better Transportation Discuss Priorities with U.S. Secretary of Transportation

Press Release

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell met with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and members of the Kentuckians for Better Transportation (KBT) on Thursday to discuss the future of several transportation projects and other issues affecting Kentucky. KBT is a broad coalition of citizens, business leaders, and government officials from across the Commonwealth who are engaged in improving and maintaining Kentucky's transportation infrastructure.

Earlier this year, Stan Lampe, President of KBT, wrote Senator McConnell to seek his assistance in "setting up a meeting with key officials at the U.S. Department of Transportation." Following up on the group's request, Senator McConnell was able to secure a private meeting between KBT and Secretary LaHood.

This meeting gave the members of KBT the opportunity to discuss with the Secretary the future of several Kentucky transportation projects, including the Brent Spence Bridge in northern Kentucky, the Louisville Bridges, the I-69 Bridge in Henderson and Kentucky's inland waterway system. In addition, the group also asked about the outlook of DOT grants and the prospects for long-term resources for Kentucky.

"This meeting allowed the members of the Kentuckians for Better Transportation to meet face to face with Secretary LaHood to discuss issues of importance to them and the state, including the future of several Kentucky transportation projects," Sen. McConnell said. "Kentucky has many significant infrastructure priorities, but in these tough economic times it is vital for us to do more with less, and today's meeting gave us the chance to remind Secretary LaHood of Kentucky's top transportation priorities"

During the meeting, Secretary LaHood touched on upcoming federal funding of important infrastructure projects and affirmed that, "Kentucky will be in the mix." Sec. LaHood added, that Senator McConnell is "paying attention to what we all care about" when it comes to Kentucky transportation priorities.

Following the meeting, KBT President Stan Lampe said, "KBT continues to be encouraged and delighted by Leader McConnell for his four-star commitment to transportation. Inviting Sec. LaHood to meet with more than 50 Kentuckians today demonstrates his earnest interest in setting partisanship aside and finding solutions. We're grateful for his support."

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