Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) today announced that $1 million for the replacement of the I-74 Bridge in the Quad Cities he secured is included in the FY2010 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill. Specifically, the bill provides $1 million for the city of Bettendorf to acquire the right-of-way and prepare for construction of the new I-74 bridge. The House Appropriations Committee approved the Transportation Appropriations bill earlier today.
"The replacement of the I-74 Bridge will have huge economic benefits for the Quad Cities region," Braley said. "This funding will help speed construction of the bridge project, which will create construction jobs, boost the local economy and improve highway safety in the Quad Cities."
Braley has long been a supporter of the I-74 bridge project. Earlier this year, Braley and Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) sent a letter to Chairman Oberstar encouraging him to include a "mega project" grant fund in the upcoming Highway Bill that could help expedite construction of the new I-74 bridge.
The Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill now moves to the full House for consideration, and will likely be scheduled for a vote before the first week of August.
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