Washington, D.C. -  —Today, Congressman Joe Donnelly sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking him to direct a portion of his $1.5 billion discretionary fund, which he received as a result of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to the City of Elkhart to finance two local transportation projects.

“The City of Elkhart has been hit especially hard in these difficult economic times,” Donnelly said. “Helping the city to finance these two transportation projects would not only create jobs locally, but it would also help local businesses. I believe these projects align themselves perfectly with the goals and objectives of the recovery act.”

Prairie Street Overpass and the Hively Avenue Grade Separation were identified by the City of Elkhart as two local transportation priorities that would help create jobs and reduce the impact of train traffic on local economic activity. In addition, the projects would provide unobstructed emergency vehicle response routes and mitigate air pollution caused by emissions from vehicles idling at crossings.

During his visit to Elkhart in February, President Obama noted in his remarks the importance of the Prairie Street Overpass to local job creation.

To read a copy of the letter, click here.

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