Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz delivered the following speech today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives today highlighting a $17.2 million transportation grant for the City of Philadelphia that will create jobs and develop a multi-county bicycle and pedestrian network in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

Schwartz’s floor speech follows below.

“One-year after its enactment, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is creating jobs, about 2 million nationally, and making smart investments in communities throughout the nation.

“Last week the City of Philadelphia received a $17.2 million grant to develop an integrated, multi-county bicycle and pedestrian network. This network will be a unique asset to the Philadelphia region and will transforming biking and pedestrian greenways in our region.

“Residents will benefit greatly from this network of trails and street improvements—using them to commute to work, go to the school or the local grocery store. Also, it will significantly improve opportunities to the riverfront along the North Delaware Riverfront for recreation and economic development.

“This project when combined with other regional initiatives will create hundreds of jobs.

“The fact that this project was one of just 61 projects funded out of 1,380 applications demonstrates the substantial need for infrastructure investments nationally.

“My Democratic colleagues and I will continue working on innovative solutions to create jobs, and promote safe and clean communities in which we live and work.”

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