Congressman Stephen F. Lynch today announced that the full U.S. House of Representatives has approved $1 million in new federal funding to alleviate the parking problems in East Milton Square, as well as $1.5 million in funding to reduce congestion along Route 28 on the Milton-Boston City Line.  The funding is included in this year’s reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act:  A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU), legislation that identifies the transportation priorities for the United States for the next six years.  The federal funding package is expected to be approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Bush later this year.

 

"At long last, the federal highway bill is moving forward, and that’s good news for the families and businesses of Milton,” said Congressman Stephen F. Lynch said of the $1 million earmark for East Milton Square.  "Once this funding is approved by the Senate and President Bush, the Town of Milton will have $2 million in federal dollars to begin construction on a design that will create more parking opportunities in East Milton Square.”

 

The Route 28 Corridor Improvement Project is intended to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.  The $1.5 million in federal funding will benefit tens of thousands of commuters and pedestrians by improving traffic signal operations, funding new pavement markings and signage, and reducing water pollution in the area.

 

Earlier this year, Congressman Lynch asked each of the cities and towns in his district to identify projects that could be funded in part through the federal transportation bill.  James Mullen, Charlie McCarthy and Marion McEttrick of the Milton Board of Selectmen, together with Representative Walter Timilty and Town Administrator David Colton, asked Lynch to help the town secure funding for these two transportation projects, and he approached Republican and Democratic leaders on the House Transportation Committee.  Congressman Lynch was notified that the funding would be included in the final House version of the bill, which was overwhelmingly approved by the House last week.

 

Lynch added, "For more than a year, this funding was trapped because the federal highway bill was held up.   Now, those differences have been resolved, and I am working with Senators Kennedy and Kerry to ensure that this funding will be approved by the U.S. Senate and that it will be delivered to the people of Milton.”

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