FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 29, 2005

Isakson Announces $34 Million in Highway and Transit Funds for Middle, South 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 $34 million in funding for Middle and South 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 Middle and South Georgia:

• $2 million for US 84 Connector and Bypass from US 84/SR 119 west of Hinesville to US 84/SR 196 south of Flemington, Liberty County;
• $5 million to widen SR 204/Abercorn Street from King George Boulevard to Rio Road;
• $5 million to widen and reconstruct SR 96 from I-75 to old Hawkinsville Road;
• $5 million to widen SR 40 from west of CR 61 to SR 25/US 17;
• $2 million for connector improvements to SR 247 from SR 11/US 41 to SR 247 in Warner Robbins;
• $2 million to widen SR 40 from east of St. Mary’s cut off at mile post 5.0 in Charlton County to County Route 61 in Camden County;
• $1.6 million for Water Ferry Riverwalk intermodal facilities in Savannah;
• $4.1 million for buses and bus facilities for Chatham Area Transit;
• $836,000 for a Train Depot intermodal center in Jesup;
• $4 million for interchange reconstruction at the I-75 interchanges from north of Tifton to the Turner County line; and
• $2.5 million for transportation improvements in the City of Jesup.

###