[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 27 (Friday, March 13, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1958-S1959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT, S. 1173

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, on Thursday the Senate 
overwhelmingly approved reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface 
Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). I want to take this opportunity 
to explain the benefits of this legislation for the State of Illinois.
  First, let me offer my congratulations and also say thank you to 
Senators Chafee and Baucus for their extraordinary work in bringing 
this bill to the floor and shepherding it through in record time. The 
final product, S. 1173, reflects their diligent work and profound 
understanding of our nation's diverse transportation needs.
  Illinois is a vitally important link in our nation's transportation 
system. My colleague, Senator Carol Moseley-Braun, who has helped lead 
an important effort to improve this bill to reflect Illinois' needs, 
has referred to the State as the ``Transportation Hub of the Nation.'' 
I couldn't agree more.
  Illinois has the third largest Interstate system in the nation. It is 
a critical freight transfer point. The Chicago area boasts of the 
nation's largest intermodal hub. Illinois is also a passenger and 
freight rail hub. The State's ports handle the third largest amount of 
domestic waterborne traffic. Illinois' rivers are the fourth busiest in 
the nation. The Chicago Transit Authority operates the nation's second 
largest public transportation system. And, of course, O'Hare 
International Airport is the busiest in the world.
  Unfortunately, Illinois' urban roads have been rated as the second 
worst in the nation. And, the six-county Chicago region is considered 
the fifth most congested area in the U.S.
  This ISTEA reauthorization is a good first step toward improving the 
conditions of Illinois' roads and bridges, properly funding mass 
transit in Chicago and downstate, alleviating congestion, and 
addressing highway safety and the environment.
  The bill provides $173 billion over six years for highway, highway 
safety, and other surface transportation programs. Illinois can expect 
to receive more than $5.3 billion over six years from the highway 
formula, as well as from the high density and the bonus programs. 
That's a 29 percent increase or $1.2 billion more than the ISTEA of 
1991. Major reconstruction and rehabilitation projects like Downtown 
Chicago's Wacker Drive and the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) will be able 
to move forward thanks, in large part, to this legislation.
  Mass transit funding is vitally important to the Chicago area as well 
as to so many downstate communities. It helps alleviate congestion and 
provides access to thousands of Illinoisans everyday. Under the Banking 
Committee title, Illinois can expect to receive $2.1 billion over six 
years. A 40 percent increase or $600 million more than the 1991 ISTEA. 
These important transit dollars will help the Chicago Transit Authority 
rehabilitate several lines, the METRA and PACE systems in Northeastern 
Illinois expand and improve their service areas, the Metro Link light 
rail system in St. Clair County complete an Illinois extension, and 
transit authorities throughout the state purchase and upgrade bus and 
bus facilities.
  The Senate bill also preserves and expands some important 
environmental and enhancement programs, for example the Congestion 
Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program and bicycle pedestrian 
facilities. CMAQ's goal is to help states meet their air quality 
conformity requirements as prescribed by the Clean Air Act. S. 1173 
increases funding for CMAQ by 18 percent. Illinois can expect more than 
$1 billion over six years under the program. S. 1173 also provides for 
increases in funds for transportation enhancement activities, such as 
bicycle pedestrian facilities and historic preservation.
  This bill also contains a number of highway safety provisions. One of 
the most notable is the .08 amendment. Thanks to the efforts of 
Senators Lautenberg and DeWine, S. 1173 contains a provision that would 
lower the legal blood-alcohol concentration level for drivers to .08. 
It's a law that Illinois has had on the books since July 1997. The 
provision could save as many as 600 lives a year.

[[Page S1959]]

  Finally, the Senate ISTEA bill extends the current excise tax 
exemption for an important Illinois product--corn-based, renewable 
ethanol fuel--to 2007. Farmers and the ethanol industry must be able to 
plan for the future. Extending the incentive will allow them to do so.
  Mr. President, the Senate's action on ISTEA sets the stage for 
Congress to uphold its obligation to reauthorize these vitally 
important transportation programs before they expire again later this 
spring. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that our 
nation's transportation needs are properly met.

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