Commentary

U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins (R-WV) has fought successfully through his work on the House Appropriations Committee to secure full funding for the FAST Act, the landmark five-year highway bill that will reinvest in West Virginia’s infrastructure.

Rep. Jenkins supported $45 billion in highway spending for Fiscal Year 2018, meeting the level included in the FAST Act. The funding is included in the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which the committee passed on Monday night.

“We have so many infrastructure needs across West Virginia, and this will provide important funding to help us rebuild our roads, repair our bridges, and construct new highways. It will be up to the governor and legislators in Charleston to decide how to prioritize this funding, and I will continue to urge them to invest in West Virginia’s long-promised projects like the King Coal Highway and Coalfields Expressway. I look forward to seeing this money put to good use across West Virginia to invest in our infrastructure – as go the roads, so go the jobs,” Rep. Jenkins said.

The bill also provides key funding and support for West Virginia priorities, including:

Language written by Rep. Jenkins directing the Federal Aviation Administration to update the Appropriations Committee on the repairs to Yeager Airport’s Engineered Materials Arresting System, a critical safety feature for the Charleston airport.

$269 million for the Essential Air Service, which supports air carriers serving small and rural communities.

$1.1 billion in funding for Amtrak’s national network to serve long-distance routes such as the Cardinal line in West Virginia.

$9.7 billion for public transit system grants to help local communities build, maintain and expand their bus and other transit systems.

It also includes $2.9 billion for Community Development Block Grants, which help to fund important housing, infrastructure and anti-poverty programs in West Virginia.