[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 55 (Thursday, April 16, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. TILLIS (for himself and Mr. Burr):
  S. 983. A bill to amend the Intermodal Surface Transportation 
Efficiency Act of 1991 to designate high priority corridors on the 
National Highway System in the State of North Carolina, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I am introducing the Military Corridor 
Transportation Improvement Act of 2015, which would amend the 
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, ISTEA, of 1991 to 
begin the process toward eventually making the US-70 Corridor in North 
Carolina part of the Interstate system, and to help fully upgrade the 
corridor to interstate standards. My colleague, Senator Richard Burr 
has agreed to cosponsor the bill. In addition, Congressman G.K. 
Butterfield will be introducing a companion bill in the House of 
Representatives.
  The Military Corridor Transportation Improvement Act of 2015 would 
designate the following as high priority: U.S. Route 117/Interstate 
Route 795 from U.S. Route 70 in Goldsboro, NC, to Interstate Route 40 
west of Faison, North Carolina; U.S. Route 70 from its intersection 
with Interstate Route 40 in Garner, NC, to the Port at Morehead City, 
NC.
  If the U.S. 70 corridor becomes part of the Interstate system, it 
would improve access to military bases in eastern North Carolina and 
the Port at Morehead City, as well as ease traffic congestion between 
Raleigh and eastern North Carolina.
  This bill helps advance the North Carolina Department of 
Transportation's Strategic Transportation Corridors Vision, which aims 
to provide North Carolina with a network of high priority corridors to 
promote economic development and enhance interstate commerce. Federal 
High Priority Corridors are eligible for federal funds to assist states 
in the coordination, planning, design and construction of nationally 
significant transportation corridors for the purposes of economic 
growth and international and interregional growth.
  In midst of a sluggish national economy, North Carolina has been a 
bright spot for growth and innovation, and one of the keys to 
sustaining that economic success is through continued investment in 
transportation, infrastructure, and our military. The Military Corridor 
Transportation Improvement Act is a true bipartisan effort to support 
North Carolina's military installations and complement the State's 25 
year transportation improvement plan, which in turn will generate 
economic development, provide a boost for local communities and create 
good-paying jobs.
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