WASHINGTON - Rep. Peter Welch voted today on passage of a five-year, $715 billion surface transportation reauthorization and water infrastructure bill. The INVEST in America Act includes four Welch-nominated transportation projects throughout Vermont, totaling $20 million in funding.
The INVEST in America Act will rebuild and modernize the nation’s roads, bridges, transit, and rail by investing in sustainable and climate focused initiatives. The bill also includes historic levels of federal assistance to states and local communities for water infrastructure improvements.
“We all know our roads, bridges, rail and water systems are crumbling and outdated,” Welch said. “It is long overdue for Congress to take the bold steps necessary to rebuild our communities by investing in resilient and sustainable infrastructure projects. It doesn't matter if you live in a Blue district or a Red district -- there is a universal benefit to safe and solid infrastructure. I am particularly pleased the bill includes four critical Vermont projects that will make our communities stronger now and into the future. I look forward to working with the Senate to get this bill across the finish line and to the President’s desk.”
The INVEST in America Act includes Member Designated Projects, which are local projects that individual members nominated for inclusion into the final bill. The Welch Member Designated Projects included are:
- Railyard Enterprise Project - Burlington, VT: $2,250,000
- Quarry Street and Quarry Hill Road Intersection Reconstruction - Barre, VT: $4,750,000
- Essex Junction Crescent Connector - Essex, VT: $5,400,000
- Quechee Gorge Bridge Rehabilitation - Hartford, VT: $7,600,000
Original source can be found here.
