Allred Fights for North Texas Priorities with House Passage of Surface Transportation Bill

Press Release

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, voted for the bipartisan passage of the INVEST in America Act in the House. As a member of the committee, Allred secured funds for local projects including DART systems upgrades in this bill which reauthorizes surface transportation and water infrastructure measures.

Allred joined fellow North Texans, Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) and Congressman Van Taylor (R-TX-03), in working to pass an amendment that provides discretion to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to review HOV lanes. This would specifically help provide flexibility with funding regarding HOV lanes that are underutilized on U.S. 75.

"This bill helps make the investments we need to support our rapid growth in North Texas while creating jobs and reducing congestion," said Allred. "Whether it is rebuilding our roads and bridges or strengthening DART, investing in our infrastructure isn't optional for our region -- it is a necessity. This legislation is a first step, and I will keep fighting for the investments we need like the newly negotiated bipartisan infrastructure framework and the American Families Plan."

The INVEST in America Act makes investments across surface transportation needs including in roads, bridges, mass transit, passenger and freight rail, and clean energy transportation.

Allred worked on the committee to secure North Texas priorities in the INVEST in America Act including:

Support for North Texas projects to improve transportation;
$1.7 million for DART mobile terminal systems upgrades.
$10 million to re-establish Northwest Drive Direct Access to I-635/I-30 in Mesquite.
$7.5 million for Texas A&M's I-35 Innovative Corridor Project, which would support research to improve the flow of goods and people from the port of entry at Laredo through the international inland ports in Dallas and Fort Worth and the Texas-Oklahoma border.
The text of Allred's bipartisan bill, the RAPID Act, which he introduced with Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). It will improve TIFIA loans and will help accelerate and improve public-private partnerships so North Texas can get investments into its infrastructure system and projects can move faster.
Access to more funding for public high-speed rail projects through the Prime Grant Program. Private entities like Texas Central, which is trying to build a high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston, would also be eligible for financing through the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program. Allred led the effort in Congress to support the high-speed rail project.
The INVEST in America Act also includes critical funding for safe drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs throughout the country.

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