THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF UNITED STATES SENATOR ROBERT BYRD.

WASHINGTON, D.C…. U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., announced today that he is working to deliver major investments for projects in Charleston and Kanawha County. In legislation that has cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee, Byrd included significant funding for U.S. 60 in Kanawha County, the Kanawha Trestle Rail-Trail Project in Charleston, the Charleston Kanawha Housing Authority, and the Hope Community Development Corporation.

Byrd added $5 million to the Fiscal Year 2009 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill to repair a major slide along U.S. 60 in Kanawha County near Hughesville. He also included $2 million for the Kanawha Trestle-Rail-Trail project, which involves redeveloping an abandoned railroad trestle bridge over the Kanawha River and converting 6 miles of rail lines into walking/bicycle trails that would traverse from the Mound in South Charleston to the Capitol Complex.

“I have worked to secure funding for these important projects because they will make travel safer in the region and make the city of Charleston an even better place to live,” Byrd said. “Unfortunately, the President has not made a priority of investing in roadways and other needs here at home. As your Senator, I am fully committed to ensuring that the Charleston area and our entire state have the safest, most efficient, and modern highways and roads possible.”

In the same bill, Byrd added $2 million for the Charleston Kanawha Housing Authority to refurbish housing units at Littlepage Terrace and Washington Manor in downtown Charleston. The current facilities have become increasingly dilapidated and are in serious need of repairs and upgrades to make the facility more livable and safe for residents.

Byrd also included $750,000 for the Hope Community Development Corporation to purchase existing, dilapidated homes and lots for the construction of new homes. This will help to create a Home Ownership Zone and facilitate a construction job training program, provide employment, and supply homeownership possibilities for low-to-moderate income families.

“We must not allow any segment of our community to be left behind,” Byrd said. “I am confident that with adequate resources, we can jumpstart efforts to revitalize parts of Charleston where people are in the greatest need. These efforts will not only rebuild and strengthen communities; they will also expand opportunities for home ownership and employment.”