Ray LaHood Visits Shovel-Ready Transit Projects

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called today for all political parties to work together to build America's infrastructure, including light-rail projects in Houston.

"If we really want to get something done, work together," he urged at a news conference at the UH-Downtown business building, where METRO's future North Line rail corridor will run. "Set aside party differences and work together."

LaHood was in Houston on a whirlwind, all-day tour of various Houston shovel-ready construction projects. The tour included a visit to Texas Southern University, a high school of engineering students - and a ride on a METRO train down Main Street.

He was here at the invitation of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston), who is chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection.

LaHood said that of the $750 billion economic stimulus package that was recently passed by Congress, about $40 billion to $50 billion will go to transportation.

"That helps us jumpstart the economy and signal to America that light rail is very important to the transportation system" of the nation, said LaHood. "We're trying to get this money out the door and get it spent in a way that reflects the values of our department."

Before the news conference started, Mayor Bill White, METRO Chairman David Wolff and LaHood chatted in the lobby of the UH-Downtown building, a warm retreat from the light rain and chilly temperatures outside where the conference was held.

White told LaHood that METRO's light-rail projects were ready to go, urging that some of the federal dollars from the stimulus package be directed here.

"Yes, sir. Got it," replied LaHood.

Jackson Lee called today's tour a "visual" for LaHood so he could better understand how transit is a "vibrant energizer of this community."

"New transportation and infrastructure projects in Houston will create new jobs and revitalize our distressed communities. The federal stimulus money is not only important, but essential for the people of Houston in order to rebuild and recover from these difficult economic times that we face," she said.