WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Representatives Mark Critz (D-Pa.) and Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) announced that the National Park Service has received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the construction of the memorial’s return road.
The members sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in January to express their support for this grant.
“Construction of the access road will greatly improve the visitor experience at the memorial, ensuring that visitors are able to fully appreciate the valor and sacrifice showed by the brave passengers aboard Flight 93,” Sen. Casey said.
“The events of Sept. 11 forever changed our nation, and we must honor and remember those affected by that day. This memorial pays tribute to these fallen heroes and reminds the American people of their tremendous sacrifices, and this grant will improve site access and put the Flight 93 Memorial one important step closer to completion,” Sen. Toomey said.
"This access road is critical for the visitors who come to pay their respects at the Flight 93 memorial,” Rep. Shuster said. “Throughout the year, millions come to the region to honor the heroes who led the first counterattack in the War on Terror. I am proud to join my colleagues from Pennsylvania in supporting this grant for the access road and look forward to continuing to work together with them to complete the final phases of this project."
“"The number of visitors to the Flight 93 National Memorial continues to grow, and construction of this return road will improve traffic-flow and improve the overall visitor experience,” Rep. Critz said.
The return road is an integral component of the site’s design. Construction of the one-way return road will eliminate potentially conflicting traffic movements, especially during peak demand periods and during construction activities for the Visitor Center.
The full text of the letter to Secretary LaHood is below.
Jan. 31, 2012
The Honorable Ray LaHood
Secretary
Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Secretary LaHood:
We write to express our support for two recently submitted Public Lands Highway Discretionary Program (PLHDP) grant applications for the Flight 93 National Memorial.
As you are aware, significant infrastructure improvements have been made to the Flight 93 National Memorial through the Office of Federal Lands Highway. The investment turned a dangerous gravel coal truck road leading to the crash site into a new two mile entrance and approach road directly off of US Route 30 providing access to the memorial. This has helped to enable the almost 2 million visitors pay their respects to the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who, on Sept. 11, 2001, courageously gave their lives thereby thwarting an attack on our nation’s capital.
The National Park Service submitted PLHDP grant applications for two key projects at the memorial. The first requests $2 million for the Phase 1B construction of a wetlands pedestrian bridge. This will allow visitors to cross a series of wetlands and ponds adjacent to the crash site, referred to as the Sacred Ground, which were preserved as natural features in the design and construction of the memorial. The wetlands serve as a naturally-occurring reservoir for irrigation and for storm water that will flow down from higher elevations, while providing visitors with a place of healing and reflection. The construction of the pedestrian bridge is currently covered under the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 401 Water Quality Certification.
The second PLHDB grant application seeks $1.2 million for the memorial’s return road, which is an integral component of site design. Construction of the one-way return road will provide an alternative route back to the main park entrance road. This will eliminate potentially conflicting traffic movements, especially during peak demand periods and during construction activities for the Visitor Center.
While significant progress has been made, there is much that remains to be done to ensure that all phases of the memorial as envisioned by the design supported by the Families of Flight 93, National Park Service, and local community become a reality. At the dedication of the Flight 93 National Memorial this past September, former President Bush, former President Clinton, Vice President Biden and Secretary Salazar all spoke about the importance of completing this memorial in order to honor both the heroes aboard and our nation’s resolve.
Consistent with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, we request that you keep us informed of the status of these applications. Thank you for considerations of our views.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Casey, Jr.,
United States Senator
Patrick Toomey,
United States Senator
Bill Shuster,
Member of Congress
Mark Critz,
Member of Congress
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