Washington, DC - Rep. Gene Green today announced that the House Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencieshas preliminarily approved
$150 million for Houston METRO’s North and Southeast lines, with $75 million dedicated to each project. This funding would include final design, land acquisition, and construction for the first segments on the North Corridor and Southeast Corridor Projects.
“The President’s FY2010 budget asked that $150 million be appropriated to Houston METRO for construction on the North and Southeast Corridor Projects, and I thank the subcommittee for realizing the importance of these projects by placing it in their recommendations,” said Green. “While there are still several steps to take before final approval of funding for these projects occurs, I am glad Congress continues their commitment to public transportation in Houston.”
There has been an effort in Congress to foster the development and revitalization of public transportation systems that maximize mobility, minimize environmental impacts and minimize transportation-related fuel consumption. The subcommittee included $10.5 billion for public transportation projects in their recommendations.
The Houston Business Journal reports that Houston traffic is the ninth worst in the nation. Houston drivers spent 123.9 million hours in traffic in 2007 and use almost 90 million more gallons of fuel because of the delays every year, costing over $2.5 billion.
“I am joined by the rest of the Houston delegation, including Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and Congressman Al Green in thanking Chairman of the Subcommittee John Olver for his continued support of Texas’ transportation needs,” said Green. “Houston’s population continues to increase and the metropolitan area expands everyday. We need to work to widen the reach of our public transportation system so that it serves more Houstonians and helps protect our city.”
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