[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 26 (Tuesday, March 4, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE SAFETY AND CONGESTION RELIEF ACT

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I was honored yesterday to join Senator 
Barbara Boxer in San Diego, CA, in my district as we announced historic 
legislation to improve our Nation's border transportation 
infrastructure. Today, Senator Boxer and I will introduce this 
legislation that we have called the Border Infrastructure Safety and 
Congestion Relief Act.
  Mr. Speaker, it is critical that Federal funding be found for border 
highway and rail projects without affecting California's Federal 
highway assistance. Our legislation would establish a $500 million 
border infrastructure fund to pay for construction and improvements to 
border area infrastructure and would fund Federal loan guarantees to 
rehabilitate shortline freight railroads.
  Historically, U.S. investment in its transportation infrastructure 
has resulted in a system of roads, highways, bridges, railroads, 
airports, and seaports that is unmatched around the world. This 
transportation system has been crucial in keeping America's economy 
strong.
  Similarly, we know that border infrastructure is absolutely essential 
for the continued economic development of my city and county of San 
Diego, and we cannot afford to see America reverse this infrastructure 
investment policy now. Yet that is precisely what is happening because 
of Federal inaction on border infrastructure issues. Further inaction 
will place our national transportation infrastructure and our economic 
well-being in great jeopardy.
  Federal mandates regarding trade and immigration have placed a 
tremendous strain on roads, bridges, highways, and rail lines that 
simply cannot accommodate the increased traffic that results from these 
decisions. State Route 905 in San Diego and the reestablishment of the 
San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad are just two such unfunded 
mandates in the city of San Diego.
  By order of the Federal Government, all commercial traffic traveling 
between San Diego and Tijuana, the two largest cities on the United 
States-Mexico border, uses a city street called Otay Mesa Road. Though 
it is currently only a four-lane street, this road carries hundreds of 
thousands of trucks every week. It is time that the Federal Government 
devoted its resources to establishing an effective, efficient, and safe 
highway connection to our Federal Interstate System.
  The San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad would establish a direct and 
important transcontinental commercial rail link between San Diego and 
the rest of the United States. This link is critical for the economic 
development of our port and for creation of thousands of jobs. Both 
priorities are high on the list for the city and county of San Diego, 
the San Diego Association of Governments, our chamber of commerce, our 
port and business and political leaders all through our county.
  With this infrastructure in place, San Diego would achieve its 
rightful status as a world class, 21st-century city with an open door 
to the great future of the Pacific rim trade. Without it, America's 
sixth largest city is relegated to a ``bedroom community'' status with 
no door to the vast world just outside its doorstep.
  The lesson is simple. The Federal Government must take responsibility 
for its trade policies and accept the consequences of its action. We 
must stop passing the infrastructure buck.
  I am glad to say there is a glimmer of hope, however. The Clinton 
administration has heard our pleas and will soon announce its proposals 
to fund border construction and trade corridor improvements in the 
Infrastructure Safety and Congestion Relief Act. We welcome the 
administration's response and we look forward to their recommendations.
  Mr. Speaker, Senator Boxer and I are taking the necessary steps to 
accept our own Federal responsibility and will be working together with 
all interested parties to begin addressing this Federal obligation. We 
strongly welcome and encourage Congress and the Clinton administration 
to join with us.

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