[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 107 (Monday, July 18, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S4643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself, Mr. Shelby, and Mr. Manchin):
  S. 1382. A bill to complete construction of the 13-State Appalachian 
development highway system, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, 46 years ago, Congress made a promise 
to the thirteen Appalachian Regional Commission member States--New 
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, 
Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and 
Mississippi--to complete the ADHS. The initial Appalachian Regional 
Commission recognized that, while the Interstate Highway System was 
slated to provide historic economic benefits to most of our nation, the 
system was designed to bypass the Appalachian Region. The Commission 
found that the limited access to these regions stifled the economic 
opportunities for countless communities--a problem that can 
unfortunately still be seen all these years later.
  Today, I rise to introduce the Appalachian Development Highway System 
Act of 2011. This legislation will move us toward the completion of the 
ADHS and keep that promise. This bill would also allow states that have 
additional ADHS funds they cannot spend to loan to other states 
throughout the Appalachian region which have ADHS projects that are the 
closest to commencing construction. Such a provision will mean that 
funds are spent in the most efficient and streamlined manner possible.
  West Virginia represents a microcosm of the transportation successes 
and difficulties throughout the country. While our state faces 
challenges, they aren't unique to West Virginia. Communities throughout 
Appalachia are also tackling these same difficulties.
  Since I was Governor, I have known how important ADHS funding is to 
the economy of West Virginia. The completion of corridor G in the 
southern part of the state has become a critical link between 
Pikeville, Kentucky and Charleston, WV much like Corridor D has in the 
northern part of the state between Bridgeport and Cincinnati, OH. 
Today, West Virginia has one more ADHS project left to complete, 
Corridor H. This four line highway between Weston and the Virginia 
State Line has approximately 58 miles left to construct until it will 
be finished.
  An effective transportation infrastructure encourages competition, 
promotes our national security, and creates economic growth. It is also 
imperative for building our communities by helping bring in businesses, 
creating jobs, building the economies in our states and cities, and 
increasing tourism.
  As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, my Committee has jurisdiction over a wide variety of 
issues. My Committee oversees the safety of our nation's highways, 
skies, pipelines, waterways, and railroads and it sets the tone of the 
debate when transportation issues come up in the Senate. I am working 
on a number of fronts to transform our transportation network.
  There is still much of the same isolation and lack of infrastructure 
in parts of Appalachia today as when the ADHS was envisioned. The 
Federal Government has a responsibility to keep the promise it made 
decades ago to the people of Appalachia. Besides the essential need for 
roads, there is also a critical need for the types of jobs and economic 
stimulus that highway dollars will bring to these underserved areas.

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