(Logansport, IN) Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly announced that the US House of Representatives approved his request for federal funding for a grade-separated railroad crossing project in Logansport.

As part of the Transportation-Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, the committee appropriated $350,000 for the design of a grade-separated railroad crossing in Logansport, Indiana.  The project will include improved roadway alignment, storm drain improvements, and a multi-use path to connect downtown Logansport to a new Ivy Tech Community College campus.  The project is necessary to improve crossing safety and allow emergency vehicles unlimited access across the tracks.  Furthermore, the project will provide direct access from the City of Logansport’s downtown economy to the Hoosier Heartland Corridor.

“The trains that travel through Logansport are important to the city’s economy,” Donnelly said. “However, it is important that these trains proceed through the city in a way that allows for the smooth and safe flow of traffic. This grade-separated railroad crossing project in Logansport promotes not only the economy of the city, but also the well-being of its citizens.”

The House of Representatives has finished its initial consideration of each of the 12 appropriations bills that would fund the agencies and operations of the federal government for Fiscal Year 2008.  The spending bills are now pending before the Senate.  In order for them to become law, the Senate and House must pass identical bills, and if that does not happen, a compromise negotiated between the House and Senate called a “conference report” must be voted on by both bodies.  Each appropriations bill must then be signed into law by the president.

###