House panel OKs $3 million for park road

The Daily Inter Lake

A $3 million funding package to pay for repairs on Going-to-the-Sun Road next year has cleared a major hurdle in Congress.

Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., announced Tuesday that the funding was included in the 2007 Transportation, Treasury and Housing and Urban Development Spending bill, which cleared the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday afternoon.

Of 39 public lands projects funded in the bill, the $3 million for Going-to-the-Sun is the third-largest in the annual appropriations bill, which is separate from a long-term transportation bill approved by Congress last year.

"This funding represents a down payment," said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "I'll be working to increase the amount whenever the opportunity exists. Whether it's through an appropriation, legislation or any other avenue, we're going to fund this project the right way. There's still a long way to go to provide all the funds necessary to repair the Going-to-the-Sun Road, but I'm committed to seeing these funds delivered and put to use."

Rehberg has been seeking funding for a long-planned Sun Road overhaul ever since a $50 million earmark for Going-to-Sun in last year's transportation bill was found to be invalid by the Federal Highways Administration because of drafting errors.

The $3 million funding must still clear the full House and pass the Senate.

Rehberg and Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., are working to restore the $50 million through separate legislation.

"In a tight budget environment, to come up with the third-largest of nearly 40 projects is a clear victory for Montana," Rehberg said of the legislation approved in committee. "I know there are lots of folks in Montana that want to see this project come to fruition and I'm committed to getting it done for them."

The funding must still clear the full House and pass muster with the Senate.