Rep. Jenkins: Highway Bill Is A Victory For West Virginia

Statement

U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) voted yes today on a landmark, five-year highway bill that will bring billions of dollars to West Virginia to rebuild our roads, complete highway projects, repair bridges, and improve rural transit programs -- all without raising the gas tax.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 359-65 today to pass the FAST Act, the conference report for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act. The FAST Act, which works out the differences between the House and Senate's highway bills, now goes to the Senate for passage and to the president to be signed into law.

"Everywhere I go in the Third District, I hear about a road that's unsafe, a highway that's incomplete, or a bridge that fails to meet safety standards. We need roads that will bring jobs to southern West Virginia, safe bridges for drivers, and highways that connect rural communities and open up new corridors of commerce.

"The FAST Act is a crucial piece of legislation that will invest billions in West Virginia's infrastructure across the state without increasing the gas tax. Congress has not passed a multi-year highway bill in a decade, which has tied the hands of our state highway departments. Roads are not built overnight -- they require years of planning and consistent, reliable funding. This bill provides just that.

"West Virginia will have the funding, certainty and tools needed to move forward on long-term highway projects like King Coal Highway, Tolsia Highway, Coalfields Expressway and Route 10 just to name a few. Instead of making spending decisions in Washington, this bill gives money to the states to decide which projects will be built and prioritized. I know the people of southern West Virginia want to see highway dollars invested in their backyards, and I will be fighting for these projects and for the Third District to receive its fair share," Rep. Jenkins said.

Rep. Jenkins is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Rep. Jenkins is proud to support the FAST Act and its investments in our transportation future:

Provides nearly $2.5 billion in transportation funding for West Virginia over five years.

Strengthens and secures the future of the Highway Trust Fund without raising the gas tax.

Allows states to use federal funds for local bridges, many of which are in rural areas.

Boosts dedicated bus funding by 89 percent over five years, helping our rural transit programs.

Increases funding for highway-railway grade crossings.

Improves safety standards for both new and existing railroad tank cars.

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