Press Releases
U.S. House Passes Spanberger’s Provisions for $22.7 Million in New Central Virginia Transportation & Infrastructure ProjectsThe Congresswoman Secured Federal Funding for Seven Projects in Chesterfield, Goochland, Louisa, Powhatan, and Spotsylvania Counties in the House-Passed Surface Transportation Reauthorization Legislation
Washington,
July 1, 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives today voted to pass the INVEST in America Act, which includes more than $22.7 million in federal resources for Virginia’s Seventh District that U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger successfully secured in the legislation. The proposed surface transportation reauthorization bill includes more than $22.7 million for transportation and infrastructure improvements in Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Louisa County, Powhatan County, and Spotsylvania County. Spanberger pushed to include these priority projects after gathering feedback directly from Central Virginia community leaders earlier this year. The INVEST in America Act will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration before being signed into law. “As Central Virginia rebuilds from the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to both address longstanding needs in our communities and maintain the momentum of our economic recovery. These proposed investments in Central Virginia would provide much-needed infrastructure improvements, support good-paying jobs, and foster the right conditions for future economic growth,” said Spanberger. “I am proud to see more than $22.7 million pass in the House today for these key Central Virginia projects, and I would like to thank the many community officials across our district who partnered with our office to help secure these potential awards. These infrastructure investments would help improve the day-to-day lives of our neighbors, keep our businesses running smoothly, and make sure our communities stay connected.” In order to identify the highest priority local transportation needs in Central Virginia, Spanberger’s office requested project submissions from all 10 counties in Virginia’s Seventh District and from the Virginia Governor’s office. Additionally, her office sought input from the Virginia Department of Transportation and from regional planning organizations that have jurisdiction in Virginia’s Seventh District. The following “Member Designated Projects” submitted by Spanberger were passed in the U.S. House today: CHESTERFIELD COUNTY Project Name: I-95/Willis Interchange Improvements Project Name: Transit Enhancement and Expansion Along U.S. Route 1 Funding Included: $4,688,800 GOOCHLAND COUNTY Project Name: I-64 at Oilville Road (Rt. 617) Interchange Improvements LOUISA COUNTY Project Name: Intersection Safety Improvements at the intersection of Route 22 and Route 780 Project Name: Intersection Safety Improvements at the intersection of Route 15 and Route 250 POWHATAN COUNTY Project Name: Red Lane Road/Rt. 60 Intersection Reconfiguration to Continuous Green T SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY Project Name: Rt. 208 (Courthouse Road) and Hood Drive Intersection Improvement (UPC 110987) BACKGROUND In March 2021, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure announced that it would accept requests for specific highway and transit project designations, as part of its 2021 surface transportation authorization legislation. These requests — known as Member Designated Projects — provide local leaders with the opportunity to identify local surface transportation priorities for potential inclusion in the U.S. House of Representatives’ surface transportation authorization legislation. To ensure accountability, Members must describe in their request why the requested project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds by detailing the value to the community and the local, regional, and/or state approvals that already support the project. Additionally, Members must affirm that neither the Member, their spouse, nor any immediate family member has a financial interest or the potential for financial gain from any of the requested projects. ### |