Heinrich: Highway And Transportation Bill Critical To Keeping New Mexicans On The Job; Need Long-Term Solution

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) voted today to pass H.R. 5021, the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014, a bill that will prevent an immediate reduction of nearly $129 million in annual funding for construction on roads, bridges, and transit systems in New Mexico, which will support more than 1,600 jobs in the state. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 79 to 18 and now goes back to the House.

"Investments in public transit, paved roads, and other transportation infrastructure are critical to providing the groundwork for economic development and creating jobs in New Mexico," said Sen. Heinrich. "This bill ensures our communities receive the funding needed to complete summer construction projects, but it is imperative we pass a long-term solution to improve our transportation system to create more certainty and put more New Mexicans back to work."

The Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014 eliminates a shortfall in highway funding and extends federal programs for highway, highway safety, transit, and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund through December 19, 2014.