$400 grand goes to Smokies

Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) announced that the House has passed the Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report that includes funding for many projects in the Second Congressional District. The following are some of the projects included in the bill: $400,000 for rehabilitation of historic structures in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. $3.4 Million for the Electric Transit Intermodal Center in the City of Knoxville. This center will serve as the off-street transfer facility for Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) passengers and will serve as the hub for environmentally friendly electric shuttle buses. $2 Million for the Lower Second Creek Greenway Project that will connect the newly-completed Knoxville Convention Center to the University of Tennessee and the Waterfront Venues. $1.2 Million for the National Transportation Research Center to conduct research on safety issues related to heavy trucks. The Center is a state-of-the-art research and testing facility that is operated by a partnership that includes the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, with strong support from the U.S. Departments of Energy and Transportation. $1.5 Million for the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. This funding will be used to construct new Taxiway D, a public access road, and a service road in the West development area. This project will improve safety on the airfield. $1.3 Million to widen the Martel Road Underpass in Loudon County. This funding will be used to widen the underpass and straighten the approach to the underpass on both sides. $500,000 for improved lighting at Exits 49 and 52 on Interstate 75 in McMinn County.  “I am pleased that we were able to secure the funding for these priorities,” said Congressman Duncan. “This federal funding will go to several much-needed projects in our area. The Intermodal Center in Knoxville will promote strong economic development in the downtown area, and also serve as a hub for an electric shuttle bus system that will greatly improve our public transportation system in our region in an environmentally friendly way.  “Whether it’s building an Intermodal Center in Knoxville, improving exit lighting, performing state-of-the-art research, or improving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, these projects will improve safety and help boost our region’s economy,” he said.   The funding for these projects were approved with the passage of the FY 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which passed the House of Representatives on February 13, 2003.