06.08.2009 Coalition Calls for More Transportation Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Emond/ 202-778-1094
June 8, 2009 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Business, Labor and Transportation Coalition Calls for More Transportation Funding, Long Term Planning
Historic New Jersey Project Serves as Example

"Today, economic stimulus dollars are helping to break ground on the Access to the Region's Core (ARC) tunnel project. It's truly an historic project in New Jersey that's needed to help address the congestion challenges of the New York/New Jersey metro region. The last tunnel under the Hudson River was built 100 years ago.  Back then the population of the region was approximately 3.5 million and today that number has grown over 5 fold to a staggering 19 million.

A new tunnel under the Hudson River and into New York Penn Station is an outstanding example of the types of projects that must be built to keep America's citizens and economy moving into the future. It's estimated that the ARC tunnel will create $45 billion of new economic activity that will benefit the region's residents and significantly reduce congestion.

With a new surface reauthorization bill around the corner, now is the time for Congress to address long-term transportation planning and investment needs for our roads, bridges and public transit. The bottom line: More revenue is needed to ensure a solvent Highway Trust Fund that also ensures other critical mobility projects that support economic activity and population growth like ARC are built around this great nation."

ABOUT US: The Americans for Transportation Mobility Coalition is a nationwide effort by business, labor, transportation organizations and concerned citizens to advocate for increased federal investment in the nation's aging and overburdened transportation system. Visit us at: www.fasterbettersafer.org.