(Washington, DC)—U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II and U.S. Congressman Sam Graves praised a $1 million grant from the Department of Transportation for the Interstate 29/35 Corridor today. The Missouri Department of Transportation will rebuild a section of I-29/I-35 in Kansas City to increase capacity, improve safety and upgrade the Missouri River crossing. The project will use fixed-price, design-build contracting to encourage innovation in design, traffic management and construction phasing.

"Thousands of Kansas Citians use this corridor for their morning commute or for their weekend entertainment," said Graves, who serves on the House Transportation Committee. "It is a vital artery for Kansas City and I am glad that both the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Federal Department of Transportation have made it a priority."

"I am proud to work with my colleague, Congressman Graves, to secure this vital funding for the Kansas City area. We are a city of bridges. They are vital links that are essential to our success. I am happy to continue to help unite our community north and south with funds for the Paseo crossing. Much like our successful bi-partisan work to replace the aging Chouteau Bridge when I was Mayor, this money will contribute to the kcICON project, which will deliver a new landmark river crossing at Paseo. I am anxious to see the exciting designs for a bridge that will serve Kansas City, and the region, for the next century," said Congressman Cleaver.

Construction is estimated to begin in the winter 2007/2008, with completion in the fall 2011 or sooner. The total cost for the project is $245,000,000. Graves and Cleaver represent Kansas City, Missouri in Congress.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and the Speaker’s Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Regional Whip of the Democratic Caucus and Second Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.