Highway funding bill could help pay for W.Va. expressway link
The U.S. House of Representatives recently introduced a six-year highway and transit funding bill that could mean the funds to help complete the final section of the Mon/Fayette Expressway for West Virginia. The bill would guarantee $283.9 billion through 2009. The legislation, The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users,” (TEALU), is a $28 billion increase over the amount proposed two years ago.
While the money will not likely affect the Uniontown-to-Brownsville link of the expressway because the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is responsible for its funding, it could help complete the West Virginia section. The construction phase of the Uniontown-to-Brownsville link could begin in early 2006.
When completed, the Mon/Fayette Expressway will begin near Interstate 68 in West Virginia and continue north to Pittsburgh.
Fayette County Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites, a longtime proponent of completion of all local sections of the Mon/Fayette Expressway, said West Virginia officials have maintained that federal money is needed to complete their section. Vicites said with the proposed higher funding level, there is a better chance that West Virginia can find the money to complete the 1 1/4 miles to complete the project.
In West Virginia, 2.5 miles of highway and one bridge have been completed and all that needs finished is construction of Morgan’s Run Bridge and 2.4 miles of highway. Last month, a West Virginia highway engineer said the next project, consisting of connection a 1-mile section south of Morgan’s Run to Route 857, will probably begin in the spring.
Vicites said he is also encouraged that West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III has expressed a desire to complete the West Virginia section of the highway. Vicites and fellow county commissioner Joseph A. Hardy III are planning a trip to Charleston to speak with Manchin in the near future regarding the issue.
“The additional $28 billion is encouraging,” Vicites said. He has frequently said that completion of all sections of the highway is vital to the future of Fayette County.
Two years ago, the House of Representatives proposed $256 billion; President George W. Bush said he would approve $275 billion and the Senate proposed $318 billion. This time, President Bush included the $283.9 billion amount in his budget.
U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, said he is pleased that the legislation could finally gain approval. “I’m sure we’ll have a healthy debate in Congress about the funding level for TEA-LU. We haven’t been able to get it passed for a couple of years, so I’m pleased that it’s finally moving,” Murtha said.
“This funding goes beyond the need to improve a highway system that hasn’t received the attention it needs while this bill was stalled. There’s also an economic consideration because it would put some of our 350,000 unemployed Pennsylvanians back to work,” Murtha said.