Shuster addresses transportation bill
SEVEN SPRINGS — The chair of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure recapped Congress’ recent accomplishments and laid out the committee’s goals for the coming year.
A pending federal transportation bill would provide the funding needed to complete a section of highway in neighboring Somerset County, said U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, during a lunch briefing Wednesday at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
With the current federal surface transportation bill set to expire at the end of May, a long-term bill is needed to replace it, said Shuster.
“That’s the kind of certainty we need, along with more reforms to let the states be able to get out there and build,” he said. “If they can build things faster, that means they have more money to do other projects.”
Shuster said western Pennsylvania can benefit from the proposed bill by providing funding to reconstruct an 8-mile section of U.S. Route 219 in Somerset County and Garrett County, Maryland, that links the Meyersdale bypass to Interstate 68.
The improved roadway would increase economic development in the region and improve safety along Route 219, he said.
“One of my highest priorities as we move this transportation bill is to figure out how we keep the focus on that (project) and open up what would be a great corridor for Somerset County,” said Shuster. “That corridor would be a great economic boon, not just for southern Somerset County but for the entire region.”
Shuster said the House recently passing a federal budget that does not raise taxes and includes tax and regulatory reform is a victory for the nation.
“That’s the way we believe we can grow our way out of this deficit and debt that we have facing America,” he said, adding that the budget sets a framework that will allow the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to move towards passing a fully funded, long-term highway bill.