Politics & Government
U.S. Senate OKs Local Transportation Bill
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa praised lawmakers for approving the bill, which would accelerate major transportation projects in the area.
The and other transportation projects in the Los Angeles area got a stamp of approval from the United States Senate on Wednesday.
The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act [TIFIA] would add $109 billion to a federal loan program for transportation projects. Senators approved the bill in a 74-22 vote. Rolled into that $109 billion is $1 billion specifically for the federal loan program called America Fast Forward, a name coined by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
"If the House passes a transportation bill with America Fast Forward, local transit agencies will be able to compete for $2 billion in low-interest TIFIA loans," Villaraigosa said. "In Los Angeles, this will allow us to create 166,000 jobs now by accelerating bus and rail projects."
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Villaraigosa said the money would allow L.A. County to complete 12 major transportation projects in 10 years instead of the projected 30 years.
The bill still needs approval from the U.S. House of Representatives.
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This report was compiled with information from City News Service.
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