AASHTO Journal, 3 August 2012
Transportation improvement projects all across the country will be receiving funding help from the Federal Highway Administration in the near future.
FHWA and the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday that more than $363 million was allocated to 12 grant programs set to fund highway improvements, from interstate rehabilitation and reconstruction to technology aimed at improving safety and cutting congestion. The funding was made possible through the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II.
“Investments in transportation projects like these create jobs right away in communities across the country, and lay a foundation for future economic growth,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “Thanks to these grants, states, cities and local communities can move forward with the transportation projects Americans need to reach their destinations more safely, quickly, and efficiently.”
FHWA encouraged states, cities, tribal governments, and local planning organizations to apply for the funding from the 12 programs. Every state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, applied for the funding, resulting in almost 1,500 requests totaling $2.5 billion.
“The demand for these funds demonstrates a clear need for increased infrastructure investment,” said FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez.
The grant programs that will be doling out the funding are: Public Lands Highway; Interstate Maintenance; Transportation, Community and System Preservation; Ferry Boat; National Scenic Byways; Value Pricing Pilot; Highways for LIFE; National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation; Railway-Highway Crossing Hazard Elimination in High Speed Rail Corridor; Delta Region Transportation Development; Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment; and Truck Parking.
More information on the programs and grant awards is available at bit.ly/fhwagrants. Additional information on MAP-21’s effect on highway provisions is available at bit.ly/map21hwy.