Legislation is essential for economic development and job creation
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House passed a bipartisan Transportation Authorization Bill. The current short-term extension was set to expire over the weekend. The bill passed by a vote of 373-52 and is now headed to the President, which he is expected to sign.
"I am pleased a transportation bill has finally been passed. While it should have been done before today and cover a longer period of time, this bill will help create much needed jobs in Iowa and give communities the certainty needed to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements and economic development initiatives.
"It is clear to any Iowan who drives a car or truck, rides the rails or flies in an airplane that a long-term highway plan is needed. A modern, safe and efficient transportation authorization will not only create jobs now for the construction industry - facing a 13.3 percent unemployment rate - but it will also set the table for long-term job creation and economic growth. Even with passage of this bill today, I am going to be pushing for work to start as soon as possible on a longer-term bill that provides greater investment in our infrastructure so our businesses and farmers can compete effectively in the 21st Century global economy."
Loebsack has been urging passage of a long-term transportation bill for a number of years and has brought important Iowa projects to the attention of the President, the Speaker of the House, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Loebsack has worked to highlight important projects to Eastern and Southern Iowa that are in need of adequate funding to move forward. They include :
- Highway 100 completion and connection to Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids
- Interstate 74 bridge replacement and improvement in the Quad Cities
- Interstate 80 & 380 ramp and road/lane improvements in and around Coralville and Iowa City north to Cedar Rapids
- U.S. Highway 30 four-lane paving from Clinton to Cedar Rapids
- U.S. Highway 34 improvements from Burlington into Illinois
- U.S. Highway 61 Business improvements in Muscatine
- U.S. Highway 61 four-lane paving from Muscatine County to Burlington
- U.S. Highway 63 four-lane paving from Missouri State Line to Ottumwa
- U.S. Highway 63 four-lane paving from Oskaloosa to Interstate 80 and improved access to U.S. 63 for Pella
