2009 Federal Funding Bill Passes House
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) today supported H.R. 1105,FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which contains the nine FY 2009appropriations bills not completed in the 110th Congress. The measurepassed on a vote of 245 to 178.
"Today we move forward with a measure to fund programs that are reallythe foundation of the strong economic recovery package the Presidentsigned last week. It continues investments in vital transportation andinfrastructure projects to ensure the long-term growth and stability ofour economy," said DeGette. "As the Dean of the Colorado Delegation, Iam happy to have worked alongside my colleagues to secure criticalfunding for projects that will make our city and our state a moreattractive place to invest, work, and raise a family."
U.S. Rep. DeGette, working with other Members of the Colorado Delegation, secured the below projects for the State of Colorado:
TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
· Denver International Airport – Various Runway and Taxiway Improvements: $1,187,500
These funds will support several critical safety and facilityimprovement projects, including concrete rehabilitation of runways,airfield runway/taxiway upgrades to meet the latest FAA standards,initiation of design and studies to examine adding a 7th runway by2015, and guard light installation at all runway entrances to improvevisibility and prevent runway incursions.
· Colorado Transit Coalition Statewide Bus and Bus Facilities: $237,500
This funding is for the 29-member Colorado Association of TransitAgencies (CASTA), which represents transit agencies around the state,to meet increased demand and to replace existing fleets to maintainsafety and efficiency standards.
· Southeast Corridor LRT: $1,031,210
Funds will be used to satisfy the final payment of $1.03 millionexpected from the Full Funding Grant Agreement which was granted by FTAin November 2000. While the light rail piece of this jointtransit/highway project commenced service in November of 2006, futurework includes follow-on activities such as a pedestrian bridge toconnect to Park Meadows Mall, a pedestrian bridge extension at the DryCreek Station, and testing of real-time communication systems.
· West Corridor LRT: $60,000,000
The West Corridor is a 12-mile light rail line with 12 stations,extending from Denver Union Station on the eastern end, providingservice west through Denver, Lakewood, Jefferson County and Golden,with a major Intermodal facility at the Denver Federal Center. It is acomponent of RTD's 12-year comprehensive transit service and facilityexpansion called FasTracks, which was approved by the voters inNovember 2004.
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT
· Chatfield, Cherry Creek and Bear Creek Reservoirs: $191,000
This continued funding is for an Army Corps of Engineers' studyexamining the potential impacts from reassigning water storage in thereservoirs for flood control, conservation, fishery habitat protection,municipal and industrial water supply, agriculture, ecosystemrestoration, and recreation along the South Platte River.
Bill summaries are available by clicking:
- Energy and Water Development
- Interior and the Environment