The Department of Transportation continues to award road building and other infrastructure projects under the Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) initiative: a recent cycle of grants means a total of 550 builds are now in action, representing a commitment of $7.2 billion. Read on for examples of the newly awarded projects.
RAISE?
Focused on creating more connectivity to and from underserved communities across the country, RAISE discretionary grants are in high demand, given that they allow both multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional approaches to long standing transportation challenges:
The RAISE program was authorized $1.5 billion a year on top of already appropriated funds through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was designed to support projects of local and regional significance. Funding is split equally between urban and rural areas, and a large percentage of grants support regions defined as historically disadvantaged or areas of persistent poverty. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow communities to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs. RAISE discretionary grants invest in critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects that would otherwise not receive necessary funding.
In the latest bidding cycle, the USDOT received almost $13 billion of grant proposals and awarded 148 new RAISE projects, including these two winners in Pennsylvania and Michigan:
$24.9 million for the Reconnecting the Allegheny Riverfront to Economic Opportunity Project in the Borough of Sharpsburg, Penn.: The project will plan, design, and construct an approximately 300-foot bridge over the Conemaugh rail line, construct additional roadway that connects to the riverfront district, construct multi-use trail on the shoreline of the river, and improvements to approximately 6 bus stops along Main Street….
$20.7 million for the Joe Louis Meets the Iron Belle: Connecting Communities in Detroit Project in Detroit, Mich.: The project will fund the construction of two shared-use paths in the Joe Louis Greenway and Iron Belle Trail systems. The improvements will be made on Woodmere Street and Dequindre Street, focusing on safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility, economic competitiveness, and partnership. The project will address safety, reduce air pollution, and improve quality of life through more affordable transportation options and aims to address historic inequities caused by transportation infrastructure.
The DOT’s On The Move
Federal infrastructure awards are continuing to roll out at a brisk pace, with leaders reminding us: “We’re funding projects across the country to make roads safer, make it easier for people to move around their community, make transportation infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather, and improve supply chains to keep costs down for consumers.” Builders eager to follow the money will find these fact sheets of special interest: Raise 2024 Awards and State By State Infrastructure Investments. Additionally, here are two further examples of recent RAISE grant winners:
$19.1 million for the Reconnect Toledo’s Historic Neighborhoods Project in Toledo, Ohio: The project will construct approximately 4,184 feet of a one-mile multi-use path….This project provides for an off-road, shared-use facility that will allow cyclists and pedestrians to travel a safe distance away from vehicles…..The project also addresses the disproportionately negative environmental impacts of transportation on local communities…, while improving the resilience of at-risk infrastructure against extreme weather events….
$12 million for the Holloway Street: Safe Access to Durham’s Busiest Transit Route Project in Durham, N.C.: The project will improve 33 intersections, including ADA curb ramps and crosswalks, tighten curb radii, upgrade bus stop amenities, and close sidewalk gaps. It focuses on safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness, partnership, collaboration, and innovation. The project …also aims to reduce community reliance on vehicular traffic, support electrification, and promote public health.
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