Contact: Lori Irving, Telephone: (202) 366-0660
FHWA 5-04o

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced that newly released funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will help reduce congestion, enhance safety and improve traffic flow at key transportation projects around the state. The Bush administration is providing more than $3.5 million for a U.S. 53 Bypass of Eau Claire, bridge projects in Bayfield County and three other Wisconsin transportation projects.

"Investing in Wisconsin's highways is the best way to get people to their jobs, families to their homes and goods to market," Secretary Mineta said.

The Bush administration has slated $1.1 million for the U.S. 53 Bypass of Eau Claire and more than $237,000 for bridge projects in Bayfield County. Other projects include almost $540,000 to provide traveler information signs and traffic management systems and $1.2 million to allow remote access to information from the Department of Justice by state police.

An additional $431,000 will establish electronic links between commercial vehicle operation agencies and national databases and motor carrier operators.

"The funding we're announcing today is an investment in the transportation infrastructure of Wisconsin and the region," said FHWA Administrator Mary Peters. "The President understands that these investments are important to our quality of life and to keep our economy moving."

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