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Congressman Cohen Questions Transportation Secretary Buttigieg on Memphis Priorities

July 19, 2022

Highlights Complete Streets, rail service from Memphis to Nashville and airport funding

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, today questioned Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at an oversight hearing on the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that became law last year.

Congressman Cohen asked the Secretary about Memphis' transportation priorities and needs, noting that Memphis was recently ranked the third worst city for pedestrian fatalities and discussing how provisions of his Complete Streets Act, which was included in the IIJA, could help reduce roadway fatalities. Secretary Buttigieg agreed with the Congressman that vehicle speed plays a significant role in such crashes, as it both increases the risk and severity, and discussed how states and localities can utilize Complete Streets principles in the IIJA to design safer streets.

Congressman Cohen also asked about future streams of funding for the Memphis Airport and how to utilize funding in the IIJA for intercity passenger rail service between Memphis and Nashville.

See the Congressman's entire exchange with the Secretary here.

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