Congresswoman Hirono Votes To Spur Economic Recovery By Investing In Housing, Transportation Infrastructure
Legislation includes $5,800,000 in Hirono Requests for Hawai‘i
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) today voted in support of H.R. 3288, the FY2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act that will help create jobs by funding projects to improve America’s housing and transportation infrastructure. H.R. 3288 passed the House by a vote of 255 yeas to 168 nays.
This legislation includes $5,800,000 in FY2010 funding for three transportation projects in the State of Hawai‘i that Congresswoman Hirono requested:
- $4,000,000 for final design and engineering for a planned fixed guideway system along the highly congested 30-mile east-west corridor between Oahu's Second City of Kapolei and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. More than 60 percent of Oahu’s population currently lives in this corridor. The Honolulu Transit Project will provide significant congestion relief and urban mobility.
- $1,000,000 for final design and construction for Phases 2-4 of the Kapolei Interchange Complex on the island of Oahu. This critical transportation improvement will relieve congestion, provide access for future mass transit options, and sustain a major plan for economic development in Oahu's fastest growing urban area.
- $800,000 to provide capital funding to assist fast-growing bus transit programs on rural islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii to purchase buses, install bus stops, and make other public transit investments.
The projects were also requested by Congressman Neil Abercrombie.
“These projects will continue the momentum created by the Recovery Act by putting people to work and strengthening our state’s infrastructure at the same time,” said Congresswoman Hirono, who is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “I am pleased that we were able to secure funds for neighbor island buses. I recently met with the drivers and staff members at The Kauai Bus, Kauai County’s bus service. They confirmed that, especially in this difficult economy, public transportation is becoming more and more popular. This funding will help Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Counties meet the growing demand for public transit while saving energy and reducing pollution.”
The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act also provides funding to build affordable housing, as well as repair and improve aging units. Federal dollars will also be available to provide counseling for families in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure.
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