Transportation Issue

Using his position as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Domenici has led the charge to strengthen New Mexico's highway infrastructure. Whether it is working to improve access to the Double Eagle II airport in Albuquerque in order to promote economic development, or helping direct federal transportation funds to improve border-related highways in Sunland Park, Senator Domenici remains committed to maximizing the bang for the federal transportation buck throughout the state of New Mexico.

When members of the Navajo National Tribal Council Committee approached Senator Domenici about participating directly in the national Highway Trust Fund program in 1982, they found a willing and able ally. Working with tribal leaders and his colleagues in the United States Senate, Senator Domenici convinced Congress and President Reagan to create the Indian reservation Roads program. With each subsequent reauthorization of the nation's transportation program, Senator Domenici has worked to improve and enhance these programs. This will be the case again as Congress works to reauthorize the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century during this session of Congress.

When Congress passed the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) in 1998, Senator Domenici took advantage of this rare opportunity to lay the foundation for a mass transit system in Albuquerque while also considering the potential of a bus rapid transit system.

As he does every year, Senator Domenici again ensured that New Mexico bus priorities were funded last year. These included $1 million for Albuquerque buses and paratransit vehicles, $300,000 for the Alvarado Multi—Modal Transit Center, and $250,000 for Rio Rancho Buses and Bus Facilities. He also worked with his colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to secure $1.9 million to build a new control tower at the Double Eagle II Airport to improve the capability of the facility to host increased flight activity and serve as a new manufacturing base.

For more information on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, please visit:
http://www.senate.gov/~appropriations/

For more information on the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, please visit:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/index.htm

For more information on Senator Domenici's views and activities on transportation, visit our online News Center.

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