Senator Conrad Holds Budget Committee Hearing In Jamestown
U.S. Highway 52 Funding KCSi-T.V. News
Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) -- Senator Kent Conrad held an official hearing of the Senate Budget Committee Hearing Thursday afternoon July 2nd at Jamestown College. The "How Infrastructure Can Foster Economic Development and the Agricultur Economy, U.S. 52,"
examined the impact of Highway 52 on the area’s economic development opportunities, specifically relating to the region’s agriculture sector.
The Senator noted the gathering was an official Senate Budget Committee hearing regarding surface transportation.
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In his opening remarks, Senator Conrad said, “Highway 52 is an economic lifeline for North Dakota’s agriculture and manufacturing industries. Many businesses rely on Highway 52 to receive raw goods and transport products to market. But like many of our nation’s highways, US 52 is deteriorating.” As Congress prepares to write a new federal highway bill, I want to examine how investments in Highway 52 could grow North Dakota’s economy, especially our agriculture and manufacturing industries.”
Truck traffic is on the rise across North Dakota. Sixty-nine percent of the goods shipped annually from North Dakota are carried by truck. Highway 52, in particular, has seen a large spike in truck traffic. Heavy truck loads have put added strain on this 361 mile-long roadway.
Senator Conrad – the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee – convened Thursday’s hearing to examine the condition of US 52 and its impact on the agriculture and manufacturing economies in the region.
Representatives from local government, agriculture and manufacturing industries testified at the hearing about the condition of Highway 52 and what future investments are needed to support growing industries.
Senator Conrad noted that North Dakota received $170 million in federal funds for roads as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
With the current federal highway bill set to expire in September, Congress is beginning to lay the groundwork for drafting a new bill. Senator Conrad said he plans to use the findings from Thursday’s hearing to garner additional federal funding for North Dakota’s highways. He expects an 18-month extention of the present highway bill.
Senator Conrad added, “Improvements to Highway 52 will pay dividends for the regional economy. It will enhance the transportation of crops and livestock. It will help increase export opportunities. And it will attract new businesses to the region and create jobs." "As we begin consideration of the next highway bill in Congress, I will continue to fight to secure funding for the critical highway arteries in our state like Highway 52 to ensure we maintain a nationally-connected system.”
The Jamestown area Witness List was comprised of:
· Director of North Dakota’s Department of Transportation Francis Ziegler;
· Jamestown City Council President Pat Nygaard;
· Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation CEO Connie Ova;
· Dakota Growers Pasta Vice President of Manufacturing David Tressler; and
· Farmers Union District VI Director Ellen Linderman.
Councilman Nygaard told the committee, that U.S. 52 serves as a critical roadway through our trade area, and many individuals, for whatever reason, arrive in Jamestown via Highway 52.
Connie Ova said, an efficient transportation system is essential for the future economic health of this region and state, and investments in the public roadway system support the economy.
David Tressler's testimony included saying Highway 52 is a vital link to the delivery of all itmes necessary to make pasta, as total traffic is now over 1,200 trucks per month, with an expected increase to 1,500 by the start of 2010, when a current expansion is completed.
Ellen Linderman said, with a well built modern Highway 52, "we will be able to maintain our connection to processors and world markets, and then continue to build on what we have already accomplished."
NDDOT Director, Francis Ziegler led off the testimony. He pointed out
that prior investments resulted in 2002 with the truck by-pass constructed around Jamestown, to improve traffic flow, safety and alleviate truck traffic through Jamestown. He added the NDDOT "considers it essential that Congress, through the reauthorization process, recognize that significantly increased federal investment in highways and surface transportation in rural states is, and will remain, important to the national interest.'
The Senate Hearing was recorded by KCSi-T.V. Channel 10, THE REPLAY CHANNEL, with showing dates to be announced. Back to Local Headlines
