Washington, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young today voted in the House of Representatives on agreement to the Conference Report of H. R. 3, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA – LU).  H.R. 3 provides $286.45 billion in guaranteed funding over six years for federal highways and transit programs, as well as highway safety and motor carrier safety programs.  This legislation will strengthen our country’s ability to move people and freight.  The bill passed by an overwhelming margin of 412 to 8.

SAFETEA-LU increases funding for constructing and improving our nation’s highways by 30 percent over TEA 21.  This legislation improves transportation project delivery by ensuring better coordination among state departments of transportation and federal permitting agencies.  It improves the rate of return and scope for donor and donee states that have minimum growth of not less than 19 percent over TEA 21.  It improves highway safety with a new program designed to increase safety belt use.  In the area of transit, this bill creates the new freedom initiative to give more mobility for the disabled and increased transit funding over TEA 21.

“This is a truly momentous day for the users of our nation’s transportation infrastructure.   This bill is the result of a great deal of extremely hard work on the part of many people including the leadership of the House and Senate, our committee members, all the other committees of jurisdiction, and our great staff.   This legislation has been a long time coming and because of the hard work and dedication of this collective body, we can report a victory. 

 “This is not the funding level that I wanted, but this funding level will help boost our economy.  This is a jobs bill that will put America back to work and begin the process of repairing and building this nation’s great infrastructure.  Alaska is positioned to receive over $596 million in funds.  These funds will help to curb our ever growing congestion problems and meet the need of some of our infrastructure challenges,” said Congressman Young.