Tag: Transportation

Daines Strengthens Montana’s Transportation Network

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today worked to strengthen Montana’s transportation network. “Our transportation network from our roadways to our skies to our railways will be a safer form of travel for all Montanans,” Daines stated. “This legislation puts Montanans first and addresses concerns from all corners of our state to increase tourism and encourage economic development projects that create more good-paying jobs.”   Daines successfully included important provisions to improve Montana air, rail and surface transportation in the FY2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act to fund the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and

Daines Presses Obama Administration on Security at Montana Airports

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today pressed the Obama administration on the security of Montana airports.  During today’s Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on transportation security, Daines pressed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator Peter Neffenger on procuring necessary security equipment for the Helena and Great Falls airports. Daines also called on the Neffenger to look into TSA’s proposed removal of passenger screening at the airport in Butte due to their choice in screeners. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks.  ###

Daines Secures Necessary Reforms to Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today secured important provisions to improve Montana air travel for passengers, pilots and the aviation industry.  During today’s Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation mark-up on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016, Daines fought to secure important provisions for Montana.  “It’s important that Montanans have reliable, safe and affordable access to air travel,” Daines stated. “This is a step in the right direction in securing our skyways by prioritizing necessary infrastructure improvements for our airports. ” Daines secured the following provisions in the FAA reauthorization: Maintains Essential Air Service (EAS) serving seven Montana communities.

Daines Reaffirms Importance of Passenger Rail to Montana

Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Senator Steve Daines today called on Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman to work with Eastern Montana stakeholders on efforts to reinstate an Empire Builder stop in Culbertson, Montana. During this morning’s Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on passenger rail, Daines successfully received a commitment from Boardman to visit and work with local leaders to discuss modernizing the existing station or building a new station in Culbertson.   Daines: “Mr. Boardman, the recent FAST Act is the longest surface transportation bill Congress has produced in 17 years, it

Daines Announces over $700,000 in Funding for Tribal Transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced more than $700,000 in funding for tribal public transit services for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Fort Belknap Indian Community and the Crow Tribe. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides approximately $5 million competitive grant funding through the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program (Tribal Transit Program) for FY14/15 to support planning, capital, and, in limited circumstances, operating assistance for tribal public transit services.  Three Montana tribes were selected for these competitive grants, totaling:  $300,000 for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes  $220,000 for the Fort Belknap Indian Community  $193,731 for

Daines’ Bill to Reauthorize PHMSA Passes Senate Commerce Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the overwhelming bipartisan passage of his legislation to help ensure the safety of America’s pipeline network.   The bipartisan SAFE PIPES Act passed out of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee this morning. The bill would reauthorize Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) from Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 through FY 2019.  “The SAFE PIPES Act is an important step forward to improve the protection of pipeline river crossings, fill vacant inspector positions and facilitate communication between PHMSA and state agencies,” Daines stated. “This is a strong, bipartisan bill that will enhance pipeline safety, promote economic

Daines’ Bill to Protect Pilots Passes Senate Commerce Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today hailed the bipartisan passage of his measure to protect and expand protections for Montana pilots. Daines’ bill, S. 571 the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 (PBOR 2) passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today on a large bipartisan vote. It increases protections for recreational and volunteer pilots by expanding the 3rd class medical exemption for recreational pilots and broadening the protections provided in the original Pilot’s Bill of Rights signed into law in 2012.  “I am proud to see the Committee rally around bipartisan legislation that prioritizes our robust aviation industry and

Daines Applauds Passage of Multi-Year Highway Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today applauded the passage of a multi-year highway bill that provides Montanans much-needed certainty in infrastructure investments:  “The long-overdue passage of a multi-year highway bill is great news for Montana and a critical step forward in providing our state with the certainty needed to make long-term infrastructure investments,” Daines stated. “Our transportation infrastructure is a critical component of our state’s economy and given Montana’s short construction season, it’s imperative that communities and contractors alike have the certainty needed to move forward with badly-needed infrastructure improvement projects.  This bill ends Congress’s irresponsible trend of short-term Band-Aids and temporary extensions

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Pipeline Safety Bill

“SAFE PIPES” Act Would Reauthorize PHMSA Through 2019  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to help ensure the safety of America’s pipeline network.  The legislation, known as the Securing America’s Future Energy: Protecting Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, would reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) through 2019. The SAFE PIPES Act is also sponsored by U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.). “Safe and secure pipeline infrastructure is critical to our nation and is especially important to Montanans – both for economic opportunity and environmental

Daines Announces $10 Million in Funding for Infrastructure Improvements in Kalispell

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that the city of Kalispell has been awarded $10 million in Transportation, Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funds for critical infrastructure improvements in downtown Kalispell.  The Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project will construct rail and road infrastructure at Glacier Rail Park to accommodate existing and prospective customers and remove rail from downtown Kalispell. The project will also increase pedestrian and cyclist access to streets, as well as construct a trail system and parks stretching across the community.  “This long-overdue grant is great news for the city of Kalispell and will