Advocates Re-Launch Bipartisan I-69 Congressional Caucus

WASHINGTON (2/5/15) – Today, Feb. 5, 2015, Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power joined five of his colleagues in re-launching the bipartisan Interstate 69 Congressional Caucus to raise awareness of the strategic importance of I-69 as a freight corridor.

Congressman Whitfield will serve as a co-chair of this caucus with Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Congressman Blake Farenthold (TX-27), Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), Congressman Larry Bucshon (IN-08), and Congressman Bennie Thompson (MS-02).

Specifically, the caucus' mission is to advance the development of I-69, and to enhance the regional mobility, and the safety of the traveling public.

"I am pleased to join my fellow Co-Chairmen to promote and raise awareness for Interstate 69," said Congressman Whitfield. "Interstate 69 is vitally important to my constituents in Kentucky's 1st District and will provide a tremendous benefit to the economy, from the creation of jobs to increased trade that will be felt on both the regional and national levels. It is essential that we all remain united and committed to completing this entire project as soon as possible."

"Interstate 69 is an important project that paves the way for expansions of the interstate highway system, connecting places like Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville, Texas where it will support some of the busiest freight routes in the nation," Congressman Cuellar said. "The development of I-69 will make travel safer and lower the cost of doing business in the region which will in turn create jobs and open the door for the expansion of commercial opportunities—all great things for South Texas. The I-69 Congressional Caucus has my full support and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the caucus to educate others on the importance of the Interstate 69 corridor."

"With Texas' economy continuing to grow, we need a more modern transportation infrastructure to move people and freight," said Congressman Farenthold. "I-69, which runs from Mexico to Canada will be a critical piece of infrastructure for all of North America."

"With innovative companies like FedEx and a prime location in the Mid-South, Memphis is our nation's freight transportation hub," said Congressman Cohen. "The completion of I-69 will add yet another important link to and from Memphis, create good-paying jobs, spur economic growth in the Mid-South, and help ease traffic congestion."

"A complete Interstate 69 corridor is critical to our nation's multi-modal freight transportation and the opportunity for Americans to find good-paying jobs," said Congressman Bucshon, M.D. "In my home state of Indiana, I-69 is a tremendous economic asset that helps move our products and people more efficiently and effectively. Our manufacturers, small businesses, and industries rely on it and it supports thousands of jobs and economic activity. I hope we can accelerate I-69 projects, like the bridge between Evansville, Ind., and Henderson, Ky., that have both regional and national significance. I'm happy to help lead this caucus as we educate our colleagues on the importance of this project and advocate for its completion as we move forward with transportation planning this year."

SurfKY News
Information provided by Marty Irby

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