[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8746-S8747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ALLARD (for himself and Mr. Hagel):
  S. 2756. A bill to extend a certain high priority corridor in the 
States of Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, transportation is a key element of 
economic growth for rural Colorado. Providing access to the national 
highway system through a well developed transportation corridor will 
boost economic opportunity and bring new dollars to the area as the 
flow of commerce increases through traffic, tourism and, hopefully, new 
industry.
  Previously, I introduced legislation to create the Heartland 
Expressway, a connecting highway of high priority roads on the national 
highway system. However, a few had concerns about this legislation, so 
the supporters went back to the drawing board. So, tonight I rise to 
introduce a bill that reflects the compromise that each of the impacted 
states have come to.
  Through Ports-to-Plains and Heartland Expressway, we can bring 
greater prosperity through trade and industry to the State of Colorado, 
while improving the safety and condition of our highways.
  Based on the recommendation of the Eastern Colorado Mobility Study, 
authored by the Colorado Department of Transportation, the corridor 
will serve a wide variety of trucks and autos, bringing new dollars and 
boosting the economy.
  The Heartland Expressway will result in user cost savings to 
businesses, have

[[Page S8747]]

fewer environmental impacts than other corridor alternatives, and will 
enhance or improve existing--and may even promote the construction of 
new corridors and intermodal facilities--that will enhance the mobility 
of freight services within and through eastern Colorado.
  The Heartland Expressway will penetrate and promote economic 
development in Denver, throughout north and southeast Colorado, into 
Wyoming, and through Scotsbluff, NE to Rapid City, SD.
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