Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana Senator Max Baucus and Congressman Denny Rehberg today applauded House passage of a provision, that was included by Baucus and Rehberg, which would release $9.6 million for the completion of construction of Highway 323 and allow for the Montana Department of Transportation (MTDOT) to finish the project by 2008. The provision is part of compromise legislation that is identical to a companion Senate bill.

Baucus, chairman of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was the lead author of the 2005-passed highway construction bill, which set aside more than $2.3 billion for Montana. Earlier this year, Baucus and Rehberg sent a letter to the Conferees requesting the change (Letter Attached).

“Folks in Alzada and Ekalaka have waited too long to see Highway 323 paved,” said Baucus, who is also the chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. “I wasn’t going to sit back while these funds were threatened because these dollars represent safer roads and more good-paying jobs for Eastern Montana.”

“323 is a big piece of the puzzle in terms of providing a convenient connection between Ekalaka and Alzada,” said Rehberg. “Bad weather and extreme conditions can take a toll on Montana’s roads and paving the final stretch is a great service for those who travel it everyday.”

The SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2007 includes a provision, requested by the Montana DOT, to allow the state to borrow against other federally funded transportation projects so that the full $9.6 million, which was designated in the 2005 SAFETEA-LU Transportation Bill for Highway 323, could be available all at once in order to complete construction in an expedited manner.

The road extends roughly 71 miles, with approximately 20 miles remaining unpaved. The funds will be used to help complete the remaining unpaved portion. Highway 323 is a critical component of the region’s economy and is the primary agricultural corridor for Carter County, Montana.

“These funds will help improve the quality of the road and make it more usable for Montanans,” said Rehberg. “Senator Baucus and I look forward to the completion of Highway 323 by Montana DOT.”

Letter:

June 28, 2007

The Honorable Barbara Boxer

Chairwoman

Committee on Environment and Public Works

456 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable James Oberstar

Chairman

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

2165 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairwoman Boxer and Chairman Oberstar;

We are writing to respectfully request a technical correction to amend the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (”SAFETEA-LU”).

During consideration of SAFETEA-LU, Montana was fortunate to receive an earmark to advance work on Montana Secondary 323, for the purpose of paving from Ekalaka to Alzada, Montana. Secondary Road 323 connects the communities of Ekalaka in the north to Alzada in the south. The road extends roughly 71 miles, with approximately 20 miles remaining unpaved. Secondary Highway 323 is a critical component of the region’s economy. It is the primary agricultural corridor for Carter County, Montana.

This project was funded at a level of $9.6 million and was listed in Section 1701 as project #1322.

We were recently informed by the Montana Department of Transportation that this project will not be completed until the final allocation of federal funds in FY09. The reason stated is that due to statutory constraints placed on all House projects, they will not be able to borrow against Senate projects to adequately advance development of the project.

This situation is unique because the state of Montana received only one High Priority Project (HPP) in the House section of the bill.

This means that a partially completed road will be allowed to remain unfinished, against the will of Congress, until FY09, when the costs will be prohibitively increased. Getting this road finished is a top priority of the Congressional delegation as well as the State of Montana.

Please include an appropriate technical correction to project #1322 in the Conference Report of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (”SAFETEA-LU”).

Sincerely,

Max Baucus Denny Rehberg
U.S. Senator Member of Congress