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The SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections bill, H.R. 1195, passed the House.  This bill seeks to make amendments to the original SAFETEA-LU bill (passed in 2005) for language changes and technical corrections so that affected communities and parties will be eligible for the intended funding originally provided.  This bill passed the House twice in the 109^th Congress, but failed to pass out of the Senate.

The following is a list of projects in Alaska that were impacted:

·       Native Village of Eyak road project

·       Craig Community Association road project

·       False Pass causeway and road

·       Seward Marine Center Port infrastructure

·       Ketchikan marine dry-dock facilities

·       Mat-Su bridge and road work at Little Susitna River

·       Mat-Su Borough’s Sheldon West extension

·       Providence Hospital public access road and enhancements (project is already completed)

·       Akutan Airport road

·       Williamsport-Pile Bay Road improvements

·       Point Mackenzie Access Road improvements

“Some people would ask why you need a technical corrections bill,” said Congressman for All Alaska Don Young on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today.  “Well, if you’ll remember, every highway bill we’ve ever passed has gone through a series of technical correction adjustments. Whenever we write a bill, sometimes they are misinterpreted by highway departments or municipalities, etc.  This is purely a technical corrections bill.  It adds nothing, it takes away nothing.  But again, we passed a good piece of legislation two years ago.  It’s been implemented, but it can be implemented in a better way with these corrections.  I have talked to the gentleman from Oregon (Rep. DeFazio) about a deal over Providence Hospital in Anchorage.  We’re looking for a solution to a problem.  I agree with you totally that we shouldn’t be paying for something that’s already done.  But I’d like to have those monies available to improve the transportation at the hub of healthcare in the City of Anchorage.  And it is my understanding that the gentleman has agreed to work with me in conference to solve that problem.”     

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