"The funding gives a boost to important transportation projects in Iowa over the next year," Grassley said. "Sound transportation systems improve the state's infrastructure and spur economic development."
The funding items are included in the transportation appropriations conference report. Members of House-Senate conference committee met this week to determine the details of the legislation. Their report is the final version of the bill that will be considered by the House and Senate before going to the White House for the president's approval. The conference report passed the House today and is scheduled to go to the floor of the Senate early next week.
In addition to the federal dollars that Iowa would automatically receive through funding formulas, Grassley worked successfully to designate funds to help pay for specific projects at airports and mass transit systems across the state.
Following are funding items included in the bill:
?$20 million for the Small Community Air Service Development Pilot Program. The program is designed to help smaller airports improve air service.
?$4.6 million for a Cedar Rapids intermodal facility. The vintage passenger rail service will run between cultural and historic attractions in the Cedar Rapids area.
?$500,000 for Portland cement concrete pavement research at the Iowa State University Center for Transportation Research and Education. The goal of the center is to become an internationally recognized resource and leader for research, education and technology transfer in Portland cement concrete technology.
?$5 million for annual bus replacement statewide.
?$1.7 million for Iowa Public Transit Job Access and Reverse Commute Programs. The project as been the catalyst for service expansions, new routes and job training for thousands of Iowans.
?$4.6 million for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Assurance Center of Excellence at Iowa State University. The objective of the center is to continue the aircraft safety work of the FAA.
?$3.6 million for the Engine Titanium Consortium directed by Iowa State University. The center brings together university research with industry engineers to address aviation safety needs.
?$3 million for the Center for Aviation Systems Reliability at Iowa State University. The goal of the center is to enhance the reliability of airframes and aviation propulsion systems.
?$1.7 million for the Sioux City light rail trolley.
?$350,000 to upgrade the instrument landing system at the Keokuk Airport.
?$6 million for widening and reconstructing Interstate 80 in Johnson County.
?$200,000 for a Dubuque light rail feasibility study.
?$3 million for Edgewood Road, bridge and roadway approaches over Prairie Creek in Cedar Rapids.
?$1 million for the Ankeny Regional Airport.
?$1 million for the Des Moines Metro I-235 reconstruction.
?$1.5 million for the Iowa/Nebraska Missouri River Bridge.
?$562,000 for statewide intelligent transportation systems.
?$150,000 for the Des Moines bus feasibility project.
?$300,000 for the Metrolink light rail feasibility project.