FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 29, 2005

Isakson Announces $27.6 Million in Highway and Transit Funds for North Georgia
Isakson Played Key Role in Drafting Highway Bill As Member of Conference Committee

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) today announced that he has secured $27.6 million in funding for North Georgia as part of the national highway funding bill. Isakson has secured over $211 million for the entire state of Georgia.

A conference committee report on the Highway Bill passed the Senate today and now goes to President Bush for his signature. It also passed the House today.

“Infrastructure is our state’s single greatest need,” Isakson said. “This legislation is critical to the state of Georgia, because it will provide our state with the tools necessary to improve and expand its surface transportation infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing population .”

Isakson was selected by Senate leadership in May to participate in the committee that crafted a compromise on the bill. Isakson also serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over highways. As a member of the House of Representatives, Isakson served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which also had jurisdiction over highways.

The bill includes $10 million for the state of Georgia for transportation improvements associated with capacity increases at statewide military installations as well as $9.1 million for buses and bus facilities. The Southeastern Economic Alliance for Next Generation High Speed Rail will receive $2 million, and the Georgia Ports Authority will receive $5 million for the Freight Intermodal Distribution Pilot Grant Program.

The bill also includes the following funds for North Georgia:

• $1 million for upgrades to SR 316 from I-85 to SR 10 Loop including new interchanges and HOV lanes in Gwinnett, Barrow and Oconee counties;
• $2 million to widen SR 15 from the City of Clayton limits to the North Carolina line;
• $2 million to widen SR 105 from Cannon Bridge Road to Walnut Street;
• $9 million for I-20 at Frontage Road in Warren County;
• $3.5 million for a new interchange at I-75/CR65/Union Grove Road in Gordon County;
• $1.1 million for buses and bus facilities in Athens;
• $2.5 million for transportation improvements in Walker County;
• $2.5 million for transportation improvements in Catoosa County; and
• $4 million for interchange reconstruction at I-75/CR 665/Carbondale Road in Whitfield County.

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