Federal Highway Administrator Mary Peters
Remarks as prepared for delivery
Re-Opening of Pennsylvania Avenue
November 9, 2004, Washington, DC

On behalf of Secretary Mineta and the entire Federal Highway team . . . welcome!

Mrs. Bush, I gave you our word 14 months ago that the work on the Pennsylvania Avenue Streetscape and Security Improvements Project would be world class. And I said that the final product would be worthy of a thoroughfare known as the “Avenue of the People.” I’m proud to say, we’ve completed a gracious, beautiful -- and secure -- public streetscape that all Americans can enjoy.

I would like to thank you and President Bush for your tremendous leadership on this restoration project.

This project would not be a success without all our great partners at the National Capital Planning Commission, the D.C. Department of Transportation, the General Services Administration, the Department of Treasury, the Secret Service, and the National Park Service.

And special thanks to our Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division aAnd our Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.

But the driving force has been your vision for a beautiful and secure avenue literally in your own front yard.

Renewal of Pennsylvania Avenue showcases priorities embraced by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Every effort was made to minimize disruptions to visitors and the local community and to complete work on a fast track. The project lays lightly on the land . . . it improves the community and protects the environment.

In the Avenue project, we also lay lightly on history, preserving the setting and the views of this revered civic space. And we prepare for the history to come, most notably the January, 2005 Inaugural Parade. In less than three months the parade comes to this restored, historic place in which we so proudly stand today.

AT END OF PROGRAM
This is a new day for an historic street. An excellent team has produced wonderful results for all to see. Everyone pulled together.

We did it and we’re proud.

-end-