Skip to main content

Rep. Johnson: 'It's a new day' in Atlanta

October 20, 2010

Congressman applauds $47 million federal grant for Atlanta Streetcar project

ATLANTA -- Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) declared it a 'new day' in Atlanta after U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood presented the city with a $47.6 million check at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site for the Atlanta Streetcar project.

Image removed.Johnson joined LaHood, Reps. John Lewis and David Scott and Mayor Kasim Reed and MARTA CEO Beverly Scott at the morning ceremony.

“A couple years ago, Transportation Secretary LaHood told Atlanta and Georgia to ‘get our act together,'” said Johnson. “We got it together, and now jobs and improvements are on the way.”

Rep. Johnson joined local leaders in fighting to secure federal funding for the Atlanta Streetcar project, which will not only bring greater connectivity in downtown Atlanta but create 1,000 jobs during construction and more than 5,600 over the next two decades.

As one of the newest members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Commitee, Johnson said he will continue to push for federal investment in the I-20 East Corridor project that will create a rail link between downtown Atlanta with the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia.

“I understand how important the city of Atlanta is to our local and regional economy, so I will work tirelessly as a member of the Transportation Committee to bring this kind of investment here and to the Fourth District,” said Johnson.

Pictured above: Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, center, presents a check for $47 million to Mayor Kasim Reed and Reps. John Lewis, Hank Johnson and David Scott.

###