Hoyer, Norton Announce $123 Million in Transportation Funding for South Capitol Gateway

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Transportation Reauthorization Conference Report, agreed to by both the House and the Senate, which includes major funds to improve the District of Columbia Metropolitan Area's transportation infrastructure. The bill authorizes federal funding for transportation projects over the next six years.

Federal funding was included in this bill for the South Capitol Gateway project at the request of Congressman Hoyer and Congresswoman Norton and will provide funding for the rehabilitation of South Capitol Street and the Frederick Douglass Bridge.

"I have been a long time supporter of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative and I see the restoration of the South Capitol Gateway as a critical component of this initiative," said Congressman Hoyer. "The $123 million included in this bill builds on the recommendations of the South Capitol Gateway Study that was completed in 2003, and the $12.25 million that was appropriated for fiscal years 2004 and 2005. It is another step in the right direction to improve access to Washington, DC and increase the safety of residents, commuters and visitors as they travel into the city."

"By making South Capitol my transportation bill priority and adding funding that my friend, Steny Hoyer, continues to contribute, we are cobbling together a new South Capitol Street Bridge," said Congresswoman Norton. "Following Steny's initial leadership on the design plan funding, we intend to keep working together until South Capitol Street is no longer Cinderella but looks like its counterparts to the north, east and west."

"In the coming days I look forward to working with all of the South Capitol Gateway partners to secure the necessary resources and keep this process moving forward. Ultimately, I look forward to the day when this waterfront fulfills our vision as one of the most highly visited locations in Washington, DC," Hoyer added.

Congressman Steny Hoyer secured $8 million for the Rehabilitation of South Capitol Street/Frederick Douglass Bridge. A total of $123 million was included in the bill for this project.

Because the freeway system proposed for the District of Columbia was never finished, South Capitol Street and the Southeast-Southwest Freeway are incomplete fragments of that transportation network. In addition, the Frederick Douglass Bridge, like many other of the District's bridges, is in poor shape. It has a sufficiency rating of 50, which means its structural adequacy, safety, serviceability, and function are seriously compromised.

This funding will rehabilitate the existing structure of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge to ensure the safety of the traveling public until the bridge is replaced. The bridge was built in 1941 and was last rehabilitated in 1976. This funding will be used for structural rehabilitation, environmental studies and safety improvements of South Capitol Street and the Frederick Douglass Bridge.

Congressman Hoyer has secured more than $30 million over the years for projects to improve the water quality of the Anacostia River and to restore the health and natural beauty of the river and the surrounding natural resources. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, and a member of the subcommittee that funds the U.S. Transportation Department, Congressman Hoyer also secured $500,000 in federal funds to conduct a study of the South Capitol Street Corridor, and secured $12.25 million in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 for the rehabilitation of South Capitol Street and the Frederick Douglass Bridge.

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