Twenty-six Senators and Representatives are advocating to retain a Senate provision in the final transportation bill.

Senator Jeff Merkley (Oregon) led the bipartisan effort with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) and Representative Geoff Davis (Kentucky) to preserve the Projects of National and Regional Significance program. The Senate proposes to fund authorize the program at $1 billion for 2013. The program is not funded through the Highway Trust Fund, and at this point would likely be funded with General Fund revenue. That will be a sticking point for some Members.

The letter notes the

“PNRS program included in MAP-21 provides states with an important tool to address large capital investment needs and freight projects which meet rigorous criteria and eligibility requirements.”

Click here to read the letter in Scribd.

12-5-22 PNRS Letter to Conferees