Washington, DC —  Senator John Thune today joined the Senate in passing the conference report on the Fiscal Year 2006 Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill (TTJHUD). This bill funds the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Federal Judiciary and Supreme Court, Amtrak and the Federal Election Commission.

“This bill provides record funding for some of South Dakota's most important sectors," Thune said. “Whether it's providing funding for programs to help at-risk South Dakota youths or making improvements to South Dakota roads and bridges, this bill will directly strengthen our state's economy, create quality jobs and increase the quality of life for all South Dakotans."

FY 2006 TTJHUD Appropriations highlights for South Dakota:

Transportation Projects

The FY 2006 TTJHUD Appropriations bill releases funding authorized by the Transportation Reauthorization bill that Congress passed earlier this year, of which South Dakota is slated to receive roughly $248 million in apportioned funds for road and bridge improvements.
In addition to the transportation formula funding that South Dakota is slated to receive, Senators Thune and Johnson also worked to secure the following transportation-related earmarks:

• $4 million to be used to purchase new buses and build or repair bus facilities throughout South Dakota.


• $3 million for the I-29 & Hwy 42 Interchange in Sioux Falls. This funding is in addition to the $12.3 million Sen. Thune secured for this project in the Transportation Reauthorization Bill earlier this year.


• $3 million for the resurfacing of SD 40 from SD 79 East on the Pine Ridge Reservation.


• $2 million for the Pierre S-Curve/Underpass. Funding will be used to address the busiest rail crossing in the state (between Sioux Avenue and Wells Avenue).


• $750,000 for the South Dakota Department of Transportation's Priority Projects.


• $200,000 for land acquisition required for runway expansions at Clyde Ice Field in Spearfish.

Economic Development Projects

In addition, Senator Thune helped to secure the following economic development projects:

• $550,000 for the Children's Home Society of South Dakota in Sioux Falls to expand its at-risk youth facility. Construction would provide desperately needed facilities for foster, adoption and counseling services.


• $500,000 for South Dakota State University to continue its research in developing Aviation Grade Ethanol for use in general aviation aircraft.


• $350,000 for the Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place to house the Sioux Nation Cultural Center and the Sioux Nation Judicial Center. The Cultural Center will provide a central place for Sioux people to learn about their unique heritage and increase tourism throughout the state. The Judicial Center will strengthen and improve tribal justice systems and aid in economic development efforts by helping to provide the legal framework necessary for financial investment on Indian reservations. Then-Congressman Thune led the charge in the House of Representatives to authorize this project in 2000.


• $350,000 for the City of Aberdeen to develop the Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center. The City of Aberdeen plans on developing the old Central High School facility into a recreation and cultural center that would include classrooms and potentially a theatre and arena.

South Dakota will also receive funding for additional economic development and transportation projects including:

• $1 million for BIA Route 27 reconstruction.


• $500,000 for the Vermillion Streetscape Project to restore downtown Vermillion.


• $500,000 for improvements to South Dupree Road (BIA Route 15).


• $500,000 for the Huron Turkey Plant Access Road. This funding will help with construction and development of the new turkey plant.


• $400,000 to expand the Boys & Girls Club facility in Brookings.


• $200,000 for Miner County Revitalization efforts to construct a Rural Learning Center in Howard.


• $200,000 for the Rapid City Area Economic Development Partnership to for the creation of a Technology Transfer and Entrepreneur Center Project.


• $200,000 for library expansion project in North Sioux City.


• $200,000 for the construction of a lecture hall and theater at the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs.