Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has released $631,806 to be used to repair and renovate access roads at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Senator Thune requested the money in the Fiscal Year 2008 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill, which was passed as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill late last year.
"The Air Force Financial Services center at Ellsworth is leading to increased traffic on the base's roads already," said Thune. "I look forward to working with Ellsworth officials and the city of Box Elder as this project and others move forward to continue keeping Ellsworth one of the premier bases in the country."
"This funding for road improvements will greatly assist Box Elder and Ellsworth Air Force Base, particularly due to the additional vehicle traffic that we've seen in Box Elder as a result of the Financial Services Center. These improvements wouldn't have been possible without the work of Senator Thune," said Al Dial, mayor of Box Elder.
The federal funding will be matched with 20 percent of local funding and the construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Additionally, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Thune continues to work on behalf of Ellsworth infrastructure needs. As part of the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which has been reported out of Committee, Thune secured $11 million to upgrade the base entry and perimeter gates at Ellsworth. This additional funding will provide increased force protection and help the base to comply with current antiterrorism requirements. The $631,806 in federal funding will compliment the future base entry and perimeter improvements. The Senate is expected to consider the Defense Authorization bill in mid-July.
"The Air Force Financial Services center at Ellsworth is leading to increased traffic on the base's roads already," said Thune. "I look forward to working with Ellsworth officials and the city of Box Elder as this project and others move forward to continue keeping Ellsworth one of the premier bases in the country."
"This funding for road improvements will greatly assist Box Elder and Ellsworth Air Force Base, particularly due to the additional vehicle traffic that we've seen in Box Elder as a result of the Financial Services Center. These improvements wouldn't have been possible without the work of Senator Thune," said Al Dial, mayor of Box Elder.
The federal funding will be matched with 20 percent of local funding and the construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Additionally, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Thune continues to work on behalf of Ellsworth infrastructure needs. As part of the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which has been reported out of Committee, Thune secured $11 million to upgrade the base entry and perimeter gates at Ellsworth. This additional funding will provide increased force protection and help the base to comply with current antiterrorism requirements. The $631,806 in federal funding will compliment the future base entry and perimeter improvements. The Senate is expected to consider the Defense Authorization bill in mid-July.