FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR CELEBRATES ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TEA-21 AT BLUE WATER BRIDGE EVENT |
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Topics: Kenneth R. Wykle
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Federal Highway Administration
July 8, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 8, 1999
Contact: Lori Irving
Tel.: 202-366-0660
FHWA 46-99
PORT HURON, Mich.—Building upon President Clinton’s commitment to expand economic opportunities, Federal Highway Administrator Kenneth R. Wykle today joined U.S. Rep. David Bonoir and state and local officials at a ceremony highlighting the Blue Water Bridge Access Project and saluting the progress made in implementing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).
The bridge is the nation’s third busiest commercial crossing and is a critical link in the area’s manufacturing industry. Michigan DOT received $1.2 million to improve access and reduce congestion at the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron.
The ceremony was part of the President’s New Markets initiative, which seeks to expand the record six-and-a-half years of economic prosperity under President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore to the people of untapped areas of the nation.
"The impact of TEA-21 on Michigan underscores President Clinton’s vision of transportation as more than concrete, asphalt and steel: it is the means by which Americans get to where they need to go: to jobs, to schools and to markets, to take advantage of all the opportunities our great nation offers," U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater said. "In an unprecedented way, TEA-21 is putting people first and helping to rebuild America, improve safety, protect the environment, spur the economy and expand opportunity."
"Because of its location, Michigan serves as a critical link to our northern neighbor, Canada, which is also our country’s biggest trading partner," Wykle said. "We look forward to working together with Michigan and our other partners to improve border crossings in Port Huron and elsewhere in Michigan and the country, which in turn will help make America’s transportation system as safe, efficient and productive as possible."
TEA-21, which President Clinton signed on June 9, 1998, is a six-year surface transportation reauthorization that guarantees about $200 billion to maintain and improve America’s surface transportation systems for the 21st century. TEA-21 continues core highway, bridge and transit programs, with balanced investment for highways, transit, rail, and intermodal projects. TEA-21 focuses on improving safety, rebuilding America, protecting the environment, creating opportunity and ensuring global competitiveness.