Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that he successfully included $800,000 for a San Juan County transportation project in H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEALU). The full House of Representatives approved the funding today in the six-year, $284 billion surface transportation package that replaces the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). TEALU doubles ferry funding as proposed by Larsen and includes the project for San Juan County and other transportation funding for Washington state.

“This bill lays out the framework for the next six years of federal transportation funding,” Larsen noted.

Specifically, the bill includes $800,000 for road reconstruction and sidewalk improvements to Guard Street from Marguerite Place to Park Street. The improvements include construction of sidewalk on both sides of the street, storm drainage and safety improvements to the road.

The House bill also incorporates Larsen’s proposal to boost ferry funding. The previous bill, TEA-21, authorized $220 million over six years for ferries. If Larsen’s provision is included in the final version of the bill, it will authorize $430 million for fiscal years 2004 through 2009 for the nation’s ferry systems.

“I have worked hard to convince my colleagues that ferries are not just tourist attractions. They are a vital mode of transportation for many Americans, especially those in San Juan and Island counties. ” Larsen said.

He continued, “As this bill moves closer to the president’s desk, I will keep working to make sure that the bill invests in our ferry system and San Juan County priorities.”

Larsen serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. TEA-21 was set to expire on September 30, 2003 but Congress extended it and failed to reauthorize the bill last year. The new bill, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA LU) reauthorizes the federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs for six years, from fiscal years 2004 through 2009. It provides $284 billion in guaranteed funding. The Highway Trust Fund provides funding for the bill. It does not come from the general treasury and pays for itself with funds from the federal gas tax.

The Senate is working on its own version of the bill. Once Senate action is completed, House and Senate leaders will negotiate the differences in their bills and create and pass a conference agreement that will go to the president.