By Ron Thaniel
February 9, 2004

Expressing that it is "great to be back among our Nation's mayors, a group that includes many of this country's strongest and most innovative leaders," U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta drew the link between transportation investment and a strong economy in his January 22 remarks before the mayors gathered in Washington (DC) for the Conference of Mayors 72nd Winter Meeting.

"Our nation's transportation infrastructure is the conduit to jobs and prosperity and economic security," said Mineta.

Mineta further noted "It's no surprise to me that almost half of the nation's Fortune 500 companies are located in America's most transit-friendly cities."

Reviewing the Administration TEA-21 reauthorization proposal, "SAFETEA," the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act, Secretary Mineta said a big part of the Administration's commitment to the Nation's transportation infrastructure lies in the bill that President Bush sent to the Congress last May.

"Federal funds under SAFETEA will help us toward our goal of growing the economy by improving the nation's roads, transit systems, highways, and terminals. It will help make the important connections between them (and) building on the principle of intermodalism that I introduced into ISTEA when I was in the Congress," said Mineta.

In closing, Mineta said, "I want to stress how much I, and the other members of the Administration, want to work with you to bolster our economy, to create jobs, and to build the transportation system that America needs in the 21st Century."