Tag: Transportation

Daines, Klobuchar, Gardner Introduce Legislation to Expand Broadband Infrastructure

Legislation would increase broadband deployment by cutting red tape for companies, states, and local governments that want to install broadband infrastructure on federal land and promotes the simultaneous installation of underground broadband conduit during the construction of federal transportation projects  Yesterday the president of the Wireless Infrastructure Association announced his support for this important legislation at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) have introduced bipartisan legislation to expand broadband infrastructure. The Streamlining and Investing in Broadband Infrastructure Act would increase broadband deployment by cutting red tape for companies, states, and

Daines Continues to Investigate Pipeline Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Senator Steve Daines today continued his work to increase the safety of the United States’ vast pipeline network and underscored the importance of timely inspection responses from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).  During a Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security hearing entitled “Pipeline Safety: Oversight of Our Nation’s Pipeline Network,” Daines today reaffirmed the challenges facing the management of Montana’s pipeline network – concerns emphasized during a field hearing held by Daines earlier this month in Billings, Montana.  “At the field hearing, PHMSA’s Administrator testified and was able to

Daines Announces Renewal of Cape Air Service for Montana Airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that Cape Air has been re-approved as the Essential Air Service (EAS) provider for airports in Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Sidney and Wolf Point. “Cape Air provides Montana’s community airports in Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Sidney and Wolf Point with critical transportation services. It has proven to be a reliable and badly needed service for a number of Montana’s rural communities,” Daines stated. “As a commuter air carrier, Cape Air makes it easier to do business and travel in eastern Montana. I’m pleased by the Department of Transportation’s excellent decision to renew Cape Air as the Essential Air Service provider

Daines Secures Field Hearing on Pipeline Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that he has secured a Senate field hearing on pipeline safety and the upcoming reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), to be held in Billings, Montana next week.  The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee field hearing is entitled “Pipeline Safety: State and Local Perspectives” and will be held on Friday, September 18th at 10:00 a.m. MT/Noon ET at Montana State University, Billings.  “Montanans know the importance of safely transporting our natural resources, whether through pipelines, highways, or rail lines,” Daines stated. “This field hearing will allow PHMSA and

Daines Announces Over $2 Million in Funding for Billings Logan International Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced over $2 million in funding for Billings Logan International Airport in light of recent flooding and infrastructure challenges facing the airport. The Department of Transportation’s $2,068,668 grant will fund much-needed drainage improvements at the airport, which serves as a major air transportation hub in Montana and is vital to commercial and general aviation. In the last reported year (2013), there were over 380,000 enplanements and 76,000 aircraft operations at Billings Logan International Airport. “Billings Logan Airport provides critical transportation services to thousands of Montanans every year. This grant will go a long

Daines Announces Nearly $4 Million in Funding for Glacier Park International Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced nearly four million dollars in funding for critical construction and maintenance needs at Glacier Park International Airport. The Department of Transportation’s $3,986,340 grant will fund a full-depth reconstruction of the airport’s existing runway, as well as the rehabilitation of the runway’s lighting system. “Glacier Park International Airport provides critical transportation services to the entire Flathead Valley,” Daines stated. “This grant will ensure the airport is able to serve the region’s growing transportation needs and provide a reliable air service for the thousands of tourists who visit Glacier National Park and the Flathead

Daines, Fischer Call for Field Hearing on PHMSA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) have formally requested that the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hold a field hearing in Billings, Montana to discuss the reauthorization of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the agency’s efficacy in overseeing the transportation of hazardous materials. Before the hearing will be scheduled, the request must receive approval from the Commerce Committee Chairman and Ranking member. In a letter to Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL), Daines and Fischer urged the Committee to convene a field hearing on PHMSA’s responsibility in ensuring

Daines: Montana Needs a Multi-Year Highway Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the DRIVE Act, which lays the groundwork for a multi-year highway bill, and the 34th short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund since 2009: “Today the Senate took an important step in moving forward a bipartisan, multi-year bill to address our nation’s infrastructure needs. Montanans deserve a long-term solution that provides needed certainty, improves our infrastructure country, and most importantly, helps create jobs. “I am disappointed that Congress also had to once again pass a short-term extension of the Highway Trust Fund, but I’m thankful that we are

Daines Calls for Long-Term Highway Bill on Senate Floor

“I’m looking forward to passing a long-term multi-year highway bill that provides certainty, that improves the infrastructure of our country, and most importantly, creates jobs.”  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to press for the need to pass a multi-year highway bill that provides Montana and the nation with the certainty needed to make long-term infrastructure investments. Daines made the following remarks on the Senate floor this morning: “What we need is to support a long-term highway bill. It creates construction jobs, it creates union jobs – that’s what sitting on the table right now and going to be debated this week in the United States

Daines Fights for Montana Transportation Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped move forward key provisions important to Montana transportation and public safety. Daines joined the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today in moving forward the “Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,” which reauthorizes Amtrak services. Daines successfully included an amendment requiring Amtrak to evaluate options for establishing additional Amtrak stops that would have a positive financial impact to Amtrak, including a potential station in Culbertson, Montana. Daines’ amendment also requires evaluation of options to enhance economic development and accessibility of Amtrak stations and their surrounding areas. In the “Transportation, Housing and Urban