Appalachian Development Highway System Act of 2011

Mr. President, 46 years ago, Congress made a promise to the thirteen Appalachian Regional Commission member States--New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi--to complete the ADHS. The initial Appalachian Regional Commission recognized that, while the Interstate Highway System was slated to provide historic economic benefits to most of our nation, the system was designed to bypass the Appalachian Region. The Commission found that the limited access to these regions stifled the economic opportunities for countless communities--a problem that can unfortunately still be seen all these years later.

Today, I rise to introduce the Appalachian Development Highway System Act of 2011. This legislation will move us toward the completion of the ADHS and keep that promise. This bill would also allow states that have additional ADHS funds they cannot spend to loan to other states throughout the Appalachian region which have ADHS projects that are the closest to commencing construction. Such a provision will mean that funds are spent in the most efficient and streamlined manner possible.

West Virginia represents a microcosm of the transportation successes and difficulties throughout the country. While our state faces challenges, they aren't unique to West Virginia. Communities throughout Appalachia are also tackling these same difficulties.

Since I was Governor, I have known how important ADHS funding is to the economy of West Virginia. The completion of corridor G in the southern part of the state has become a critical link between Pikeville, Kentucky and Charleston, WV much like Corridor D has in the northern part of the state between Bridgeport and Cincinnati, OH. Today, West Virginia has one more ADHS project left to complete, Corridor H. This four line highway between Weston and the Virginia State Line has approximately 58 miles left to construct until it will be finished.

An effective transportation infrastructure encourages competition, promotes our national security, and creates economic growth. It is also imperative for building our communities by helping bring in businesses, creating jobs, building the economies in our states and cities, and increasing tourism.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, my Committee has jurisdiction over a wide variety of issues. My Committee oversees the safety of our nation's highways, skies, pipelines, waterways, and railroads and it sets the tone of the debate when transportation issues come up in the Senate. I am working on a number of fronts to transform our transportation network.

There is still much of the same isolation and lack of infrastructure in parts of Appalachia today as when the ADHS was envisioned. The Federal Government has a responsibility to keep the promise it made decades ago to the people of Appalachia. Besides the essential need for roads, there is also a critical need for the types of jobs and economic stimulus that highway dollars will bring to these underserved areas.

Mr. President, 46 years ago, Congress made a promise to the thirteen Appalachian Regional Commission member States--New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi--to complete the ADHS. The initial Appalachian Regional Commission recognized that, while the Interstate Highway System was slated to provide historic economic benefits to most of our nation, the system was designed to bypass the Appalachian Region. The Commission found that the limited access to these regions stifled the economic opportunities for countless communities--a problem that can unfortunately still be seen all these years later.

Today, I rise to introduce the Appalachian Development Highway System Act of 2011. This legislation will move us toward the completion of the ADHS and keep that promise. This bill would also allow states that have additional ADHS funds they cannot spend to loan to other states throughout the Appalachian region which have ADHS projects that are the closest to commencing construction. Such a provision will mean that funds are spent in the most efficient and streamlined manner possible.

West Virginia represents a microcosm of the transportation successes and difficulties throughout the country. While our state faces challenges, they aren't unique to West Virginia. Communities throughout Appalachia are also tackling these same difficulties.

Since I was Governor, I have known how important ADHS funding is to the economy of West Virginia. The completion of corridor G in the southern part of the state has become a critical link between Pikeville, Kentucky and Charleston, WV much like Corridor D has in the northern part of the state between Bridgeport and Cincinnati, OH. Today, West Virginia has one more ADHS project left to complete, Corridor H. This four line highway between Weston and the Virginia State Line has approximately 58 miles left to construct until it will be finished.

An effective transportation infrastructure encourages competition, promotes our national security, and creates economic growth. It is also imperative for building our communities by helping bring in businesses, creating jobs, building the economies in our states and cities, and increasing tourism.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, my Committee has jurisdiction over a wide variety of issues. My Committee oversees the safety of our nation's highways, skies, pipelines, waterways, and railroads and it sets the tone of the debate when transportation issues come up in the Senate. I am working on a number of fronts to transform our transportation network.

There is still much of the same isolation and lack of infrastructure in parts of Appalachia today as when the ADHS was envisioned. The Federal Government has a responsibility to keep the promise it made decades ago to the people of Appalachia. Besides the essential need for roads, there is also a critical need for the types of jobs and economic stimulus that highway dollars will bring to these underserved areas.