[Press Release] : Federal legislators secure important funding for Columbia transportation projects

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Mayor Darwin Hindman
(573) 864-7895
Ray Beck, City Manager
(573) 874-6338
Paula Hertwig Hopkins, Assistant City Manager
(573) 874-7214

Federal legislators secure important funding for Columbia
transportation projects

COLUMBIA, MO (August 2, 2005) - Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond,
Senator Jim Talent and Congressman Kenny Hulshof announced last week
that they had secured funding for several transportation projects in
Columbia.

The funds are part of the federal highway bill that is expected to be
signed by the President. Bond secured $25 million in funds for Columbia
to participate in a Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program. There is
no requirement for matching funds. Talent secured a total of $8 million
for two road projects. Hulshof secured $2 million for corridor study for
the Stadium Boulevard extension.

"I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Senator Bond, Senator Talent
and Congressman Hulshof for including funding for the City of
Columbia," said Mayor Darwin Hindman. "Their contributions are
important to the long-term stability of Columbia and the funds go a long
way in helping us to better meet the transportation needs of our
citizens."

City Manager Ray Beck added, "I am pleased that Senator Bond, Senator
Talent and Congressman Hulshof have been working to assist Columbia with
federal funding for these important community needs. Their assistance is
extremely important as our full-service city continues to move forward
with a total transportation system."

Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program

"My thanks go to Senator Bond for including Columbia as a participant
in this major transportation project," said Hindman. "The funds will
be used to build an interconnected pedestrian and bicycle system between
schools, businesses, neighborhoods, transportation facilities and
recreational areas," said Hindman. "The interconnected system will
give citizens another transportation option that will be both healthy
and conserve petroleum resources at the same time. The program has the
potential to have an impact on easing traffic congestion. I am very
excited about this program that will make Columbia a national leader and
an even better place in which to live."

Beck added, "This will be a useful alternative that will provide the
necessary infrastructure to connect pedestrians and bicyclists with
important facilities throughout the community. Since the grant involves
interconnecting several systems, such as parks, schools, transportation
facilities and more, several departments will be involved in the
effort."

Columbia was one of only four communities selected to participate in
this pilot program. The others are Marin County, Calif., Minneapolis -
St. Paul, Minn., and Sheboygan County, Wis. The city is awaiting further
directions on how the pilot program will be administered. The Secretary
of Transportation is charged with administering the program, but
specific guidelines have not been received. The Secretary of
Transportation also will develop statistical data on changes in motor
vehicle, nonmotorized transportation, and public transportation usage in
participating communities and assess how such changes decrease
congestion and energy usage, increase the frequency of bicycling and
walking, and promote better health and a cleaner environment.

"While it is yet unclear how the program will be administered on a
day-to-day basis, the legislation is clear that the Secretary of
Transportation shall establish and carry out the pilot program," said
Paula Hertwig Hopkins, Assistant City Manager.

Gans Road/U.S. 63 and Scott Boulevard

Senator Jim Talent secured $4.5 million for the Gans Road/U.S. 63
interchange and $3.5 million for Scott Boulevard from Rollins to
Brookview.

"Senator Talent is to be commended for obtaining these funds for
these two important projects that will be of great benefit to our
citizens," said Hindman.

"These projects were on our priority list, so we are very pleased
that Senator Talent was able to secure funding for these important
projects," said Beck.

The Gans Road/U.S. 63 interchange will be important to our road system
in southeast Columbia by providing direct access for a regional park,
the university and ease traffic flow across south and east Columbia.

The Scott Boulevard project will relieve traffic congestion in an
already developed area of the city.

Stadium Boulevard extension

Congressman Hulshof was successful in securing $2 million for extending
Stadium Boulevard from U.S. 63 to I-70.

"I extend my thanks to Congressman Hulshof for securing funding for
this program and I appreciate all he has done for the citizens of
Columbia," said Hindman.

"The extension of Stadium Boulevard has been a priority for a number
of years and will be the last part of connecting Stadium from I-70 on
the west to I-70 on the east," said Beck. "We are thankful to
Congressman Hulshof for his assistance."

This project, when complete, will relieve traffic congestion at the
I-70/U.S. 63 interchange and improve safety.

Transportation Summit

Senator Bond will host a Transportation Summit in Columbia on
Wednesday, August 3 at 10 a.m. at MFA Incorporated, 201 Ray Young Drive
He will be joined by Talent, Hulshof, Pete Rahn, Director of Missouri
Department of Transportation, as well as business, law enforcement,
government and transportation leaders from across the region.

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