Route 219 |
While the Senate version of the transportation bill includes the toll credit language change vital to Route 219's completion, Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster is concerned with other changes the bill makes to Appalachian Development Highway System projects.
The Senate passed its version of the bill Wednesday, which along with changing the toll credit language would also make ADHS projects 95 percent federally funded. The bill also combines the ADHS with several highway programs in the new Transportation Mobility Program.
Shuster spokesman Jeff Urbanchuk said although the House version of the transportation bill also groups some highway programs together, the ADHS is left as a standalone program. Shuster serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has been working on the language for the House version of the bill.
"The Senate bill's consolidation forces the ADHS to compete with numerous other programs for scarce federal dollars, putting at risk the completion of ADHS projects, including Route 219," Urbanchuk said. "By being forced to compete with other programs, Appalachian states runs the risk of not prioritizing the completion of ADHS projects. In contrast, the House protects the viability of the ADHS as a standalone program. This was one of Congressman Shuster's top priorities as the co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission Caucus in fighting to complete Route 219."
He said the Senate bill weakens the entire program by forcing the ADHS to compete for funding.
"We want to make sure the funding goes to Route 219," he said.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey's spokeswoman, April Mellody, said it is true that the ADHS is combined with other programs in the Senate bill. But she added that the toll credit language change along with the increase in federal funds being allowed for the projects is positive for the completion of Route 219.
"This is a major victory for the region and Sen. Casey is committed to continuing the fight to ensure this project get done," she said.
States earn toll credits for spending money to improve toll roads such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike. At this moment the state is not allowed to use these credits as the state match to federal funds for Appalachian highway projects. Route 219 is part of the Appalachian highway system.
The Senate passed its version of the bill Wednesday, which along with changing the toll credit language would also make ADHS projects 95 percent federally funded. The bill also combines the ADHS with several highway programs in the new Transportation Mobility Program.
Shuster spokesman Jeff Urbanchuk said although the House version of the transportation bill also groups some highway programs together, the ADHS is left as a standalone program. Shuster serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has been working on the language for the House version of the bill.
"The Senate bill's consolidation forces the ADHS to compete with numerous other programs for scarce federal dollars, putting at risk the completion of ADHS projects, including Route 219," Urbanchuk said. "By being forced to compete with other programs, Appalachian states runs the risk of not prioritizing the completion of ADHS projects. In contrast, the House protects the viability of the ADHS as a standalone program. This was one of Congressman Shuster's top priorities as the co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission Caucus in fighting to complete Route 219."
He said the Senate bill weakens the entire program by forcing the ADHS to compete for funding.
"We want to make sure the funding goes to Route 219," he said.
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey's spokeswoman, April Mellody, said it is true that the ADHS is combined with other programs in the Senate bill. But she added that the toll credit language change along with the increase in federal funds being allowed for the projects is positive for the completion of Route 219.
"This is a major victory for the region and Sen. Casey is committed to continuing the fight to ensure this project get done," she said.
States earn toll credits for spending money to improve toll roads such as the Pennsylvania Turnpike. At this moment the state is not allowed to use these credits as the state match to federal funds for Appalachian highway projects. Route 219 is part of the Appalachian highway system.
