Washington, D.C. – July 21, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), a senior member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced subcommittee approval of the fiscal year 2011 Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Included in this bill is funding for several important projects throughout Alabama. Following today’s action by the subcommittee, the bill will now go to the full Appropriations Committee for approval.
Affordable Housing Rehabilitation – $5 Million
This funding will be used to rehabilitate Rosedale Court, a distressed housing community in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“Rehabilitation of this distressed housing community will greatly improve the living conditions for the families currently residing in it,” said Shelby. “This funding will go toward the renovation and reconstruction of the existing housing units in a manner that promotes safety and security.”
Alabama Senior Transportation Program – $500,000
Many seniors no longer drive and have little access to public transportation. As the need for efficient and affordable transportation grows, Alabama’s elderly population increasingly needs assistance in going from one place to the next.
“Many of our state’s seniors are without the resources necessary to drive to their medical visits, the grocery store, or to see family and friends,” said Shelby. “This program provides the essential service of helping Alabama’s elderly get where they need to go.”
Huntsville International Airport International Intermodal Center – $500,000
Phase IV of the International Intermodal Center expansion completes the funding of the Master Plan providing an additional air cargo apron for the operation of the previously funded air cargo facility. This project will benefit residents in the region through job creation, commerce expansion, and it will serve as an incentive to prospective businesses considering relocation to the area.
“Madison County’s unemployment has consistently been the one of the lowest in the State due to Huntsville’s thriving business and research community,” said Shelby. “Allowing for further airport expansion incentivizes further growth in the region.”
Lanett Municipal Airport Runway Construction – $1.5 Million
This project is the second and final phase of the Lanett Municipal Airport runway expansion project. The existing runway length of 3,148 feet is inadequate to service the corporate air traffic needs of this area. A longer runway is necessary to support the growing aviation needs of the local area driven in part by the construction of the KIA Motors Corporation automobile manufacturing plant 4 miles away in West Point, Georgia.
“A longer runway is necessary for Lanett Municipal Airport to boost economic development in the area and attract tier one auto parts suppliers, who will need an adequate airport to support increased business,” said Shelby. “If this airport is able to support greater air traffic it will be an incredible economic development and job creation tool for a region in Alabama that has recently lost numerous jobs.”
Martin Road Expansion – $10 Million
Widening of Martin Road is required to relieve congested and unsafe traffic conditions and provide improved access to Redstone Arsenal. Major access roads on the Arsenal are already at or beyond maximum design capacity as a result of major construction since 1992 and personnel relocation of 7,500 workers to the Arsenal in the late 1990s.
“The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decisions will relocate 4,500 employees onto Redstone Arsenal,” said Shelby. “Widening of Martin Road is necessary to ensure that access roads to and from Redstone Arsenal will continue to support the consolidation of personnel on the installation.”
