Murkowski Satisfied with Transportation Bill’s Progress for Alaska
Senator Lisa Murkowski today applauded the news that the Transportation Reauthorization Bill negotiated in a House-Senate conference will deliver critical funds to Alaska’s unique infrastructure needs through rail, road and water transportation projects and maintenance – on top of the resources she was able to direct to Alaska through negotiations in the U.S. Senate.
Murkowski also lauded the work of Congressman Don Young – particularly for his work benefitting the Alaska Railroad – who sat at the negotiating table in the conference and protected her work while adding other critical items.
The Senate bill that Murkowski worked on provided $520 million for federal highway programs in Alaska, while the House version set the level at $312 million – and the final funding amount is closer to the Senate version. The Senate bill also added $20 million to Indian Reservation Roads and $9 million to ferry boat construction for Alaska, which was improved upon in the conference process as well.
“Alaska is still a young state with high priority needs, whether through our rural roads linking communities, the critical economic and geographic role played by the Alaska Railroad, or our Alaska Marine Highway connecting many communities unreachable otherwise,” said Murkowski. “I worked diligently with my Senate colleagues on Capitol Hill to push our priorities – and I am pleased that Alaska’s needs have been addressed on both sides by our delegation.”
