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WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) has joined 71 other U.S. senators in urging the Senate leadership to continue its commitment to invest in Americas transportation infrastructure. The letter requests that the Continuing Resolution include the funding levels consistent with the Safe Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, (SAFETEA-LU), which was signed into law in 2005.

Our transportation infrastructure is critical to our nations economic growth, said Senator Cardin, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. A retreat from expected funding levels will mean delays in important transportation projects in Maryland and lost jobs and wages for tens of thousands of Americans.

The bipartisan letter calls on the Senate leaders to support continued funding of SAFETEA-LU when the Senate considers the funding resolution for the reminder of FY 2007. The letter states: The Administration has estimated that roughly 47,500 jobs are created from every billion dollars of transportation infrastructure investment. & A reduction from FY 2007 (funding levels) to FY 2006 appropriated levels will result in a loss of approximately 190,000 construction jobs. In addition, there would be lost economic benefits and personal mobility benefits from our having passed up important infrastructure investments.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, Maryland could lose nearly $14 million in transit funds this year if transportation funding is frozen at the FY 2006 funding levels. An analysis by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association found that Maryland would lose $85.7 million in highway funding.