WASHINGTON A joint House-Senate Conference Committee has given final approval to the Transportation Reauthorization Bill (SAFETEA-LU) which contains a total of $1.241 billion for Rhode Island transit and highway projects. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), one of 5 senators negotiating the transit provisions of the bill, secured $146.25 million in project funding and included a new formula that sends $84.245 million to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). Over 4 years, Rhode Island will receive $84.245 million in transit funding -- a 71% increase for the state -- as well as authorization for $96 million for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to continue work on South County Commuter Rail and $30.25 million for buses and station expansion RIPTA.The state will also receive, over 5 years, $1.011 billion in highway funding -- a 23% increase -- which includes $55 million in projects authored by Reed as well as an additional $20 million for bridge and safety improvements that Reed secured. Reed, a member of the Senate Banking Committee that wrote the bill and the ranking member on the Senate Transportation Subcommittee, stated This funding will help Rhode Islands economy continue to grow while alleviating Rhode Islands and the regions crowded roads and transit system.The $286.4 billion SAFETEA-LU bill is expected to pass both the Senate and House and be signed by the President soon.TRANSIT RIPTA will receive $84.245 in transit funding which can be used for capital expenditures such as buses and the construction and preventative maintenance of facilities such as the new transportation center in Kennedy Plaza that eases the trip for 40,000 commuters each day. However, the funds cannot be used for operational costs. Reed included a provision that based transit funding on population density which ensured RIPTA would see a large increase in funding. In addition, RIPTA will receive funding for projects secured by Reed:New Environmentally Cleaner Buses and Vans $23.35 millionThe bill appropriates $23.35 million for the purchase of environmentally clean replacement buses and smaller vehicles to expand the state's flexible demand-response services in low density areas of Rhode Island which have limited transit service. Funding at this level will bring the total federal dollars Reed has secured for new buses to $42 million over the last 7 years.Elmwood Facility - Providence$6.9 millionThe bill appropriates $6.9 million for RIPTA to expand its sole, statewide facility to better accommodate the administration and maintenance of the state's bus and van fleet. In order to ensure proper and consistent maintenance of vehicles across the fleet, RIPTA assumed responsibility for all transit vehicles in 2003. The shift in the state's vehicle maintenance practice has brought over 100 additional vehicles to RIPTAs facility for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Due to this demand and the need for new indoor bus storage, RIPTA must expand its maintenance facility.Reed secured authorization for the following transit funding:South County Commuter Rail Phase I & Phase II$96 million (Phase I $36 million, Phase II $60 million)The bill authorizes $36 million for the RIDOT to continue Phase I development of the Wickford Junction commuter rail station which would offer an alternative to congested commute to Providence area from South County. Reed authorized this project in the Transportation Reauthorization Act of 1998 and secured $6 million in appropriations for it last year. The bill authorizes $60 million for the RIDOT to potentially extend Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail service to Cranston, East Greenwich, Kingston, and Westerly. Route 4, Route 2 and Route 1 are becoming more congested due to the continued growth in South County. Rail service can help reduce this congestion and offer an alternative to the stress and environmental impacts of driving.HIGHWAYS - The bill also provides $1.011 billion in federal highway funding for Rhode Island which represents a 23% increase for RIDOT. The $1.011 billion RIDOT will receive includes $55 million for highway maintenance and construction projects authored by Reed. They include: Route 138 from Route 108 to Route 2 South Kingstown$12 millionThe bill includes $12 million for reconstruction of Route 138 between Rt.108 and Route 2. Work will include minor widening/drainage work, utility adjustment, pavement rehabilitation, round about construction, signing and landscaping.Warren Bridge $11 millionThe bill includes $11 million to complete the Warren Bridge replacement project.Washington Secondary Bicycle Facility/Coventry Greenway/Trestle Trail Coventry$7 millionThe bill includes $7 million for work on several bicycle paths in Coventry. The trails include the East and West Trestle Trails and Coventry Greenway Northwest Biketrail/Woonasquatucket River Greenway - Providence, Johnston$6 millionThe bill includes $6 million for work on the Northwest Biketrail and Woonasquatucket River Greenway. The path will follow sections of former Providence & Springfield Railroad, contain 0.3 miles of Class I bike path in Providence, 0.4 miles of multi use and 0.4 miles of signed shared bike path. Stillwater Viaduct - Smithfield$5 millionThis bill includes $5 million for the rehabilitation of the Stillwater Viaduct No. 278. Work is expected to consist of deck and beam replacement, joint elimination, bearing replacement, other minor concrete repairs, and resurfacing.Natick Bridge - Warwick, West Warwick$5 millionThe bill includes $5 million to complete the Natick Bridge replacement project.Pell Bridge Ramps - Newport$5 millionThe bill includes $5 million for improvements to the access from Newport Bridge in the City of Newport.Downtown Circulation Improvements - Providence$4 millionThe bill includes $4 million for work to improve traffic circulation in downtown Providence including LaSalle Square, Dorrance Street, Fountain Street, Empire Street Weybosset Street and Union Street.As a negotiator of the bill, Reed secured an additional $20 million for highway safety and bridge improvement projects. They include: Sakonnet River Bridge Replacement Tiverton/ Portsmouth$15 million The bill includes $15 million to begin replacement of the Sakonnet River Bridge Replacement.Route 146 $5 millionThis bill includes $5 million for safety improvements to Route 146 and studies to alleviate congestion at the Routes last remaining stop light in North Smithfield.