Congressmen Tom Petri and John Olver proposed a bill last month that was designed to save the federal Transportation Enhancement Act that funds bicycle and pedestrian paths, rail-to-trails and other quality-of-life transportation projects.
The bill set aside millions of dollars to build bike paths and other alternative transportation infrastructures.
“This is an extremely popular program, funding numerous small projects around the country which provide a big bang for the buck for thousands of communities. It's very important as a 'quality of life' issue,” said Petri.
On July 24, the House Appropriations Committee had voted to eliminate the guaranteed funding for the transportation enhancements program. The Petri/Olver bill, which passed by a vote of 327-90, has preserved it.
Speaking in favor of the bill, Keith Laughlin, president of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy said, “better transportation solutions for everyone should ensure that Federal transportation policies contribute to – rather than undermine — the twin goals of healthier people and healthier places.”
Bicycle and pedestrian facilities and rail trails are among the most popular transportation enhancement projects. Transportation enhancement funds can also be used for downtown streetscapes, scenic highways, tourist welcome centers, transportation museums, historic preservation and wildlife crossings.
>>> The industry needs to lobby harder for this type of legislation. Funding for facilities means more consumers and more consumers mean