By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – The federal government has a lot of control over transportation funding, but that would change under new federal legislation from U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville).
Davis, during a meeting in Normal Tuesday with Connect Transit officials, explained the bill would create more of a state-by-state funding decision making process.
“It’d be statewide officials that would be able to put together the committees of jurisdiction and selection process,” said Davis. “It allows people that are more familiar with our local mass transit needs to have a say on who gets awarded the competitive funds versus who doesn’t.”
General Manager Andrew Johnson told Davis the support they get currently from the federal government is vital. He said the long term transportation bill passed last year was a landmark for public transit.
“It provides Connect Transit with funding to meet critical capital needs, provides competitive opportunities to fund additional projects,” said Johnson. “Like the downtown transfer center we want to put in Bloomington.”
Johnson said Connect Transit wouldn’t be able to provide the service it does without federal support.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
