by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its 2004 Transportation and Treasury Appropriations bill last week, providing more than $15 million in federal funding for North Florida transportation projects.
The bill spends $89.3 billion nationwide on transportation services and infrastructure. The House provided $3.4 billion more than President Bush requested and increased last year’s expenditure by $2.7 billion according to Ken Lundberg, communications director for Rep. Ander Crenshaw. Lundberg said he didn’t know how much money was spent last year in North Florida.
The House passed the bill just 10 days after returning from an August recess.
“These projects are all designed to improve mobility within our region, said Crenshaw. “This is a very positive step for the 4th Congressional District of Florida and highlights the quality of projects that I have worked hard to fund.”
Funding for Jacksonville projects include:
• $5.2 million for a Community Transportation Coordinator. This project will subsidize improved city transportation services to elderly and physically and mentally challenged citizens. It will pay for up to 105 publicly owned handicapped vehicles. It also includes an improved communications system, which will feature automated tracking in an effort to improve the reliability of complementary transportation provided by the State for the disadvantaged.
• $700,000 to cover some of the cost of constructing a water taxi terminal along the St. Johns River. The project will link river traffic with the national highway system. According to Crenshaw, it will benefit residents and tourists.
• $3,250,000 for bus replacement. The money will pay to replace buses that are past intended useful life, saving on maintenance costs. The project is designed to increase safety and air quality while reducing traffic congestion.
• $500,000 to create a Master Regional Agency Intelligent Transportation System. The money is start-up capital for a communication system designed to link public transportation with emergency vehicles.