From Deseret News archives:

Roadwork OK'd: House approves $100 million for Utah

Published: Friday, March 11, 2005 10:32 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday passed an authorization of federal highway, public transportation, highway safety and motor carrier safety programs for six years — a bill that includes more than $100 million for specific Utah projects.

"We've been able to authorize some good projects," said Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah. "And I'm glad they're dispersed throughout both small and large communities in our area. Each project helps in its own way to improve the lives of Utahns and invigorates our local economies."

Provided within the bill was a provision that allows each member of Congress to include high-priority projects but within a given allowance. Utah House members worked with local communities in establishing those priorities.

Nationally, these projects, approaching 4,000 in number and $11 billion in value, are cited by budget hawks as prime examples of "pork barrel" spending by Congress.

The total price tag of the reauthorization is $284 billion, which is substantially less than transportation advocates had wanted.

The White House, in a statement Wednesday, threatened to veto the bill if Congress exceeds the $284 billion figure. And it issued a second veto threat over a provision that would require Congress to reopen the act — and seek more money — if it fails by 2009 to change how federal funds are distributed among the states.

Story continues below
The last six-year highway bill, funded at $218 billion, expired in September 2003. But it has been kept alive through short-term extensions because the White House rejected any plan that would raise taxes or add to the federal deficit.

While it might sound like political pork for incumbents, the bill has been highly sought after by states and local governments since the last authorization expired 18 months ago. State and industry officials recently met in the nation's capital to urge Congress to act quickly or another construction season would be lost.

"We have to do something about our nation's transportation infrastructure," said Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah. "Annually, congestion costs American drivers $67 billion in lost productivity and wasted motor fuel. More than 30 percent of our major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and 29 percent of our bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. "

"Our country's roadways and rails are the lifeblood of our economy and this bill is six years overdue," Cannon added.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Deseret Morning News graphic

previousnext

Latest comments

Hall would rather take a hit

I don't know, I'm pretty sure that Jordan Wynn is a better candidate since he...

Letters: Health-care felony?

Wrong, you get an - "F" Socialism does not invoke ownership to the State....

TCU showdown has big implications

Tell me something UTES, what game this year on your schedule, has given any...

Have you seen the video clips on the Coug recruits? I think we will see much...

TCU's motivation

I don't care how many more games we lose this season. We are STILL the...

This is why BYU is alwas one and done

Utes get extra motivation

Your tears have been delicious. It has been especially sweet to see that...

G, looks like others are bringing facts to this and you keep providing a...

The Deseret News should do some investigating into when the Ogden School...

I hope a member of PETA doesn't get an illness that could've been prevented...

Advertisements
Advertisement