Tag: Transportation

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

Daines Announces Miles City Airport to Receive Grant to Rehabilitate Runway

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that Miles City’s Frank Wiley Field will receive $2.5 million to rehabilitate the airport’s runway and modernize its visual guidance system. The grant was awarded under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). “Safe and reliable air service is critical to the long-term economic needs of Montana’s rural communities, including Miles City,” Daines stated. “This grant will provide the Miles City airport with the tools needed to better serve the transportation needs of area residents.” The AIP was developed to promote the development and preservation of the nation’s airport system. Eligible

Daines Presses Highway Safety Administrator for Answers on Fire Truck Safety

Senator Steve Daines today pressed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for answers about delayed recall efforts for a failing fire truck component that resulted in a deadly crash outside of Helena, Montana last summer. During today’s Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing with NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind, Daines recalled the crash and pressed Rosekind as to why a full recall of the defective part has taken approximately one year to institute. Daines also pointed out that the component in question was a NHTSA approved solution to a previous recall in 2003, yet still was faulty – ultimately leading