Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. David Price (D-NC) today called on the President to drop his partisan opposition to a bill providing major investments in transportation, housing and economic development. The final Transportation, Housing & Urban Development Appropriations bill (H.R. 3074) also provides funding, which Price helped secure, for a number of road and community development projects in the Triangle (see below).

The bill was approved by the House today by a vote of 270 to 147 and requires the President's signature for enactment.

"This funding bill puts our country on a solid path toward better roads and transportation alternatives, which has a direct impact on our quality of life in the Triangle," Price said. "It also prioritizes road safety by investing in repairs for our nation's aging bridges. And this bill will strengthen our communities by expanding housing opportunities, especially for veterans and low-income families. The President should cooperate with Congress by signing this critical legislation. If he chooses to veto this bill, it would be a major setback to efforts to improve our communities."

Specifically, the bill invests $40 billion in the nation's highway system for construction of new roads, repairs and improvements. In the wake of the I-35 bridge collapse in Minnesota, the legislation also invests $1 billion to strengthen aging bridges across America, a 25% boost for this urgent national priority. It provides sufficient funds to renew all current housing vouchers, and provides 15,500 new vouchers for veterans, the disabled, and low income families. And it provides a major increase for housing counseling to help homeowners threatened by the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

The President has threatened to veto the legislation, which fits into his pattern of knee-jerk opposition to the many bills that the House has passed, Price said.

The bill also provides funding for a number of transportation and community development projects in the 4th Congressional District, which Congressman Price requested as a member of the Appropriations Committee, including:

Transportation Projects:

I-540 Western Wake Freeway: $1,000,000 to support the completion of a critical link in the I-540 Raleigh Outer Loop that will connect rapidly growing areas in southwestern Wake County with the I-40 corridor and Research Triangle Park.

Walker Street Grade Separation (Downtown Cary): $1,000,000 to help the Town of Cary extend Walker Street by 0.19 miles and construct a bridge over the railroad tracks in downtown Cary. Currently, both crossings along the railroad tracks in the downtown area are "at-grade," forcing motor vehicles to stop and causing major delays when an average of five passenger trains and 12 freight trains pass through downtown daily.

Hopson Road Grade Separation (Durham): $500,000 to help the City of Durham replace the existing two-lane, at-grade rail crossing at Hopson Road with either a new roadway bridge across the rail line or a new rail bridge across the roadway. The project, which will accommodate five motor vehicle lanes, is needed because a significant increase in commercial and industrial activity in the area is expected to contribute to a significant increase in traffic volume on Hopson Road.

Statewide Bus and Bus Facilities Upgrades: $1,250,000 for the State of North Carolina to improve bus service in communities throughout the state.

Community Development Projects:

Jim and Carolyn Hunt Child Care Resource Center: $275,000 for the Child Care Services Association to help complete the final elements of a child care resource center in Durham. The Jim and Carolyn Hunt Child Care Resource Center will house and centralize the services of three child care service agencies to improve access to services for children, families, and child care providers in the Triangle. Co-locating these services will allow over 5,000 families each year to more easily access information on child care programs, learn about referrals and vacancies, and seek financial assistance.

Manufactured Housing Redevelopment Fund: $275,000 for the Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina (CRA-NC) to help capitalize a loan fund for the redevelopment of manufactured housing land-lease communities into vibrant neighborhoods. The loan fund is intended to help demonstrate how manufactured housing can be a successful low-income housing option and an integral component of community development strategies.

Family House at UNC Hospitals: $175,000 for the State Employees Credit Union Foundation to help complete the construction of a 40-bedroom hospitality house for critically ill patients and their families. The facility will provide lodging and a nurturing environment to those traveling significant distances to UNC Hospitals for inpatient evaluation and treatment. Existing lodging in the area is financially out of reach for many patients and their families, and the Ronald McDonald House (located next door to the proposed site) serves only the families of children.

Durham Boys and Girls Club: $100,000 for the John Avery Boys and Girls Club to expand and renovate its gymnasium to better serve Durham's youth and families. The capacity of the Club's current athletic facility has been significantly stretched by the growth in the number of participants (150 youths per day on average). The space will serve as an auditorium, a gathering place for the community, and a home for the club's Gang Prevention through Targeted Outreach program.

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