Baucus scored $15 million for a border crossing that services 0-3 crossings per day.
Yep. $15 million will go a long ways in Whitetail, Montana. Actually it will be over $60 million for 4 border stations that see more sheep than people.Although, it's hard to tell the difference these days. As, was stated, One only sees 3 crossings per day on average and zero on many days. Another doesn't domuch more but here's a picture. They look alright to me. Oh and here's another one, affectionately named Goat Haunt It's not on the list, but it's cute.
I don't see $15 million worth of improvements needed. Maybe a couple hundred thousand for better barriers on the road perhaps. But seriously, $15 million per station. That's like 300 new houses in Montana. Tester whines about them being 40 years old. So? The White House is a lot older. So are most state capitols. There's lots of old buildings that are serviceable.
None of these stations are open 24/7.
A totalof five ports in Montana are receiving stimulus money improvements, with Wildhorse will receiving almost $16 million. Meanwhile, the Port of Scobey is getting just under $15 million, Del Bonita almost $16.5 million and the Port of Morgan $14.5 million.
They all on average see0-3 trucks per day.
Baucus and Tester talk about terrorists sneaking in from Canada. What about the Montana shack lover from Berkeley: the Unabomber? Or the Montana Freemen who were apparently only guilty of being10 years before their time. All those terrorist pouring in from Saskatchewan are on notice now...
With 0-3 crossings per day, what is $15 million going to provide that isn't superfluous, that a heavy bar and one way tire spikes won't cover?
Not quite as dire as others in need of infrastructure and stimulus. Meanwhile in Laredo, Texas,
which serves more than 55,000 travelers and 4,200 trucks a day, is rated among the government's highest priorities but was passed over for stimulus money.More than $116 billion in freight passed through Laredo last year, according to the Transportation Department. It is one of the busiest border stations in the country. Unemployment in the metropolitan area is 9.4 percent.
Smells like another project with a state that borders Canada.