WASHINGTON, D. C. – U. S. Senator Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and General Government, announced that President Bush signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005 into law. Included in this legislation is millions of dollars for projects in West Alabama.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY 2005 is a spending bill that includes the remaining appropriations bills, which provide funding for: transportation, treasury and general government; agriculture; commerce, justice, state; energy and water; foreign operations; interior; labor, Health and Human Services, education; Legislative branch; and Veterans Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Affairs.

“I am pleased to announce funding for many important projects in West Alabama and across the state,” Shelby said. “This legislation provides necessary resources for a wide-range of initiatives to improve the quality of life for our citizens and increase economic development opportunities across the state.”

West Alabama projects funded include:

Freddie Jones Field Airport – $1 Million

“I am pleased this legislation includes $1 million for the Freddie Jones Field Airport in Linden for necessary improvements and enhancements,” Shelby said.

Eutaw Bridge Reconstruction – $500,000

“These funds will allow for much needed construction improvements to be made to the Eutaw Bridge,” Shelby said.

Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission – $250,000

“I am pleased the legislation includes funding for the important work being done by the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission,” Shelby said. “These funds will assist the Commission’s mission of promoting economic opportunities for this region of the state.”

Boligee Street Historic Preservation – $400,000

These funds will be used for the restoration of this historic courthouse square on Boligee Street in Eutaw. “I am pleased to provide this assistance to Greene County as they restore their historic courthouse,” Shelby said.

City of Livingston – $300,000

“I am pleased we were able to provide funding for the City of Livingston to begin its revitalization process,” Shelby said. “Livingston has a rich history, and it is crucial that the city maintain its history with a renewed interest in the downtown area.”

The bill also provides funding for a number of Army Corps of Engineers projects in Alabama. The funds have been provided for the Corps’ ongoing operation and maintenance activities on several waterways including the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway in the amount of $19,539,000.

“It’s an important part of our national inland waterway transportation system, while serving as an economic necessity for businesses in Alabama and across the nation,” Shelby said. “Numerous industries depend on an efficient waterway infrastructure to transport goods, and adequate funding is critical in order to avoid interruptions to the river flow traffic.”