WASHINGTON -Congressman Ted Strickland continues to fight for federal funding to complete the Chesapeake Bypass, also known as the Tri-State Metro Outer Belt.

The U.S. Representative announced last week that he has secured $16 million for several transportations projects in legislation approved by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The bill now goes to the full House and the Senate for a vote. The president will need to approve the bill as well.

Three of those projects include the Chesapeake Bypass, Farm Road in Gallia County and a transportation hub in Washington County.

"Passage of this bill out of committee takes us one huge step closer to seeing that these projects become a reality," Strickland said.

"We now have to take this effort to the House floor and make sure this bill is signed into law."

The bill includes $2 million towards construction of the Chesapeake Bypass, also called the Tri State Metro Outer Belt in Lawrence County, $1.25 million towards the next phase of construction on Farm Road in Gallipolis, and $500,000 for the construction of a transportation hub in Marietta.

The Transportation Equity Act (TEA-LU), a $284 billion, six-year plan passed the Transportation Committee last Wednesday.

It is expected to be brought up for a vote before the full House this week. Although some changes could still be made, expectations are that it will pass smoothly.

A similar bill was passed last year, but was never signed into law.