Highlights project’s economic Impact as part of Invest in America Bus Tour
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx visited the future construction site of the Birmingham Intermodal Facility, this week, as part of his Invest in America, Commit to the Future bus tour, calling it an investment in Alabama’s economic future that could be replicated across the country if Congress would support a long-term transportation bill. The intermodal facility will significantly improve transit options and connect thousands of local residents to jobs and other opportunities in Birmingham and throughout Jefferson County.
The Secretary’s visit is part of a multi-state tour highlighting the urgent need to continue to invest in America’s transportation infrastructure at a time when the nation’s surface transportation programs are set to expire and the Highway Trust Fund is running out of money.
“Projects like the Birmingham Intermodal Facility not only create jobs, but also lay the foundation for long-term economic growth for entire regions and industries,” said Secretary Foxx. “I’m traveling across the country all week to highlight projects like this that show the difference we can make if we invest in America and commit to the future – because just fixing what we have today isn’t going to help us meet the transportation needs of the future.”
Officials from the City of Birmingham and Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority broke ground on the new, state-of-the-art facility in March. The intermodal center, which is expected to be completed in 2015, will provide a convenient location in downtown Birmingham for residents to easily connect to and transfer between Amtrak, intercity bus routes, and local MAX bus service. The Federal Transit Administration is providing approximately $24 million toward the $30 million facility, covering 80 percent of the cost of construction.
After visiting the site, Secretary Foxx spoke about the Administration’s plan to address the infrastructure deficit with a $302 billion, four-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal. The plan will invest in our national infrastructure network, increase safety and efficiency and provide greater access to ladders of opportunity, all without adding to the deficit. Later this month, Secretary Foxx and President Obama will send a bill to Congress that will make this vision a reality and put more Americans back to work repairing and modernizing our roads, bridges, railways, and transit systems.
“Throughout our history, Americans have always been able to leave their children a brighter future, thanks in part to the opportunities transportation has provided,” said Secretary Foxx. “We are at risk of failing our children. We need to not only invest in America, but commit to the future – not only rebuild and repair our roads and bridges, but reimagine how we do it.”
Secretary Foxx’s Invest in America, Commit to the Future bus tour is taking him through eight states in five days. The tour includes visits to manufacturers, bridges, freight facilities, and highway projects in an effort to raise awareness of America’s infrastructure needs. Secretary Foxx will visit with business leaders, stakeholders and community members to discuss how transportation projects are making a difference and to highlight infrastructure gaps that we need to fill in order to promote economic growth and American competitiveness.
