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The key points in the column by Scott Stroud are:
"But if shovel-ready is still one of the criteria, the fun political play for Castro might be to look for federal assistance in finally doing something about congestion on U.S. 281 and Loop 1604 — easily the most talked-about local traffic problem. With enough federal help, maybe it’s possible to find a fix that doesn’t involve toll roads.
"There are legal complications to moving quickly on that, most notably a pending lawsuit. But if Castro could somehow find a way to remove or work around that obstacle, a grand-scale widening of those two roads could take an issue off the table that has tormented local politicians for years...
"From Castro’s perspective, that’s perfect. He’d win favor with North Side Republicans for addressing a longstanding congestion bugaboo, and wouldn’t have to worry all that much what they think of Obama."
Castro goes to Washington with an eye on transit, roads
By Scott Stroud- Express-News
Web Posted: 10/11/2010 6:36 AM CDT
Mayor Julián Castro has an appointment in Washington today to talk about transportation, summoned on short notice by an Obama administration that might be slightly panicked by last week’s dismal job news.
A briefing for reporters has already been scheduled for immediately after the meeting, which the White House said last week would be about “investing in America’s infrastructure.” No one said anything about bringing shovels along for groundbreakings, but it wouldn’t have been a surprise if they did.
Administration officials clearly see transportation projects as the shortest path to creating the kind of jobs that would blast the economy out of its current lethargy. On Sunday, they said they planned to ask Congress for a front-loaded $50 billion investment in the nation’s infrastructure.
Read the rest of the story here.
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S.A.’s Castro in group meeting with Obama
By Gary Martin - Express-News
Web Posted: 10/12/2010 12:34 AM CDT
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama met with several governors and mayors, including Julián Castro of San Antonio, on Monday as he sought Republican support for a six-year, $50 billion bill to revamp the nation’s roads, rails and runways with an effort that would create jobs.
“This is work that needs to be done. All we need is the political will,” Obama said in a Rose Garden ceremony after his meeting with mayors, governors and transportation officials.
Obama said Democrats and Republicans have supported infrastructure projects in the past. He called for similar bipartisan support for a transportation and infrastructure bill when Congress returns after the Nov. 2 election.
“It should not take another collapsing bridge or failing levee to shock us into action,” Obama said.
The president was flanked by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, as well as past secretaries Sam Skinner, who served under President George H.W. Bush, and Norm Mineta, who served under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Also attending the event were current and former mayors from Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Denver, Atlanta, Baltimore, Oklahoma City, Charleston, S.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
Castro said San Antonio has many eligible projects that could use federal funding immediately, including improvements along the U.S. 281 corridor and its interchange with North Loop 1604.
Read the rest of the story here.
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Link to article here.
Castro meets with Obama about transportation projects
by KENS 5 staff
kens5.com
Posted on October 11, 2010 at 6:19 PM
Mayor Julian Castro met face-to-face with President Obama on Monday at the White House.
Castro was one of just a few leaders invited by the president to talk about transportation projects.
The president is pushing a $50 billion transportation proposal that he says will put more Americans back to work.
He listened to Castro and other mayors and governors about the needs in their communities.
"I think it's important for San Antonio to have a voice at the table when the administration and Congress come up with a plan on transportation funding," Castro said.
Castro also talked about the efforts to bring light rail to San Antonio.
The president wants Congress to approve billions of dollars to repair and upgrade the nation's roads, rails and runways.
The measure would create new jobs, but members of Congress are worried about the deficit and are not likely to sign off on more spending.
The president is trying to show voters that Democrats have a plan to fight unemployment.
Jobs and the economy are dominating the discussion ahead of November's elections.