O’Halleran Secures Funding for Rural Arizona Infrastructure in INVEST in America Act

AZ-01 Funding includes 4,750,000.00 for Page Roundabout

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WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) voted to pass the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act, infrastructure legislation which includes funding for four projects in Arizona’s First District and two amendments O’Halleran secured for Indian Country. The bill makes transformational investments in America’s highways, roads, bridges, transit, rail, and water infrastructure to create jobs, modernize our infrastructure and reduce carbon pollution. 

“In Arizona’s First District, the bus drivers taking our kids to school and the hardworking moms and dads heading to work are forced to travel some of the most dangerous roads in need of repair in our county,” said Rep. O’Halleran. “Driving to rural and remote First District communities myself, I’ve seen the infrastructure needs of communities across rural Arizona left on the backburner since before the Great Recession. I am pleased to see so many of my initiatives to address the unique needs of rural and tribal Arizona included in this bill and am hopeful that all can make it across the finish line and receive full funding.”

The INVEST in America Act allocates:

  • $343 Billion for roads, bridges, and safety;
  • $109 Billion for transit;
  • $95 Billion for passenger and freight rail; 
  • $117 Billion for drinking water infrastructure; and
  • $51+ Billion for wastewater infrastructure.

Community Project Funding O’Halleran secured for the 1st District includes: 

Lone Tree Corridor

City of Flagstaff

$8,000,000

US89/ Lake Powell BLVD Roundabout

City of Page

$4,750,000.00

Peters Road Widening

City of Casa Grande

$5,000,000.00

Electric Bus Infrastructure

Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority

$1,450,000

 

View the full list of O’Halleran’s submitted Community Project Funding Requests on his website, HERE.

Additionally, two O’Halleran amendments passed as part of the final bill:

Arizona stakeholder support: 

Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy: “We are extremely grateful for Congressman O’Halleran’s dedication to the City of Flagstaff and his hard work to include $8 million for the Lone Tree Corridor project, which will ensure that there will be another viable alternative to enter into downtown, improved bike and pedestrian access and safety and will also help us in our efforts to construct the long-awaited Rio de Flag flood control project.”

Heather Dalmolin, Mountain Line CEO and General Manager: “Congressman O’Halleran has always been a strong supporter and advocate for Mountain Line and this $1.485 million electric charging project will help make possible the transition to all-electric buses that will reduce our carbon footprint and provide quality service to our passengers and community.  Mountain Line is thankful to be included as one of Congressman O’Halleran’s priority projects and we are humbled by his strong support for this critical infrastructure.”

Page Mayor William R. Diak: “Congressman O’Halleran is a strong supporter and advocate for the City of Page.  He genuinely cares for the health and safety of the citizens of Page by supporting a roundabout at US89 / Lake Powell Blvd.  This is an extremely dangerous intersection, and during the most recent five-year period, the City has experienced 19 total intersection related crashes including 1 fatal crash.  US89 is the main artery that connects Arizona with destinations to and from the north, south, east and west.  As Page’s tourism returns to its past 4.5 million annual visitations, this roundabout is Page’s most urgent infrastructure priority.  Engineering has determined that a roundabout is the best solution for this intersection for traffic flow and for the large boats that travel on US89 / Lake Powell Blvd.”

View an INVEST in America Act Fact Sheet, HERE. View funding highlights, HERE

The INVEST in America Act also includes important provisions to help communities like Tucson impacted by PFAS contamination. The bill creates a $5 billion grant program to help community water systems treat PFAS-polluted water and allows $50 million to be spent to help communities recoup costs related to PFAS cleanup since 2014. 

The grant program in the bill includes a provision from Rep. O'Halleran that gives priority to communities like Tucson that are located in an area that is a sole source aquifer for drinking water. 

“Communities like Tucson have been fighting for years to clean up PFAS and other harmful chemicals; they need our support,” said O’Halleran during a recent Energy and Commerce Committee Markup of the PFAS Action Act. “Our bill provides some financial support for cities like Tucson, which has been locally funding PFAS cleanup projects for years.”