Oink If You Love Pork
By Alain L. Sanders
Coming your way in time for the fall elections: speeches and
ribbon cuttings for more than 1,800 pet projects tucked into the
$203 billion highway law signed by President Clinton last week.
Among the goodies Congress plucked from the pork barrel:
Building Bridges
For Senate majority leader Trent Lott's hometown: a new,
eight-lane span to replace an old drawbridge over the Pascagoula
River. $38 million
Garden Stop
What do roads and the Missouri Botanical Garden have
in common? The answer from Education member Rep. Bill Clay: a new
park-ride and bus facility. $900,000
Not For Cars Only
Autos are banned from Mackinac Island, Mich. But Commerce
panelist Rep. Bart Stupak thinks cyclists, horse riders and
roller bladers have rights of way too. $800,000
Atop The Hill
On a clear day, you can see forever. Senior Transportation panel
member Rep. Jim Oberstar gets a National Scenic Byways Center for
Duluth. $9 million
When Ya Gotta Go
Rep. Bob Ney of the Water Resources panel understands federal
relief. Two rest stops on a rural stretch of road in Ohio are
going to get flush toilets. $40,000
Freeway Ride
Give 'em a break. To help cars avoid local
construction, Transportation chairman Bud Shuster wants drivers
to travel toll free on the Penn. Turnpike in his district. $3
million
Lights, Cameras
Thanks to Rep. Bill Pascrell of Transportation, there'll be a
gripping TV show on everything you wanted to know about
infrastructure and jobs. $2.8 million
Peddling Pedals
A car and a bike in every garage. From Senate
Public Works chairman John Chafee's Rhode Island to Oregon,
America obtains more bike paths. $80 million
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