U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Announces $10 Million to Indiana for I-65 Project |
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Topics: Rodney E. Slater, Interstate Highway System
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Federal Highway Administration
December 22, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 22, 1999
Contact: Jim Pinkelman
Tel.: 202-366-0660
FHWA 85-99
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced that the state of Indiana will receive $10 million in Federal Highway Administration discretionary funds to add north- and south-bound lanes on I-65 in southern Indiana.
"President Clinton and Vice President Gore recognize that an investment in our nation’s infrastructure is an investment in the American people," Slater said. "The project that we are helping to fund will yield significant dividends in terms of safety, mobility and economic growth to the people of southern Indiana."
"This grant will help southern Indiana continue its economic growth," U.S. Rep. Baron Hill said. "I commend our state leaders for having the vision and the initiative to improve our state’s highways and economic potential. With help from the U.S. Department of Transportation, we are now not only able to build better roads but stronger communities."
The project provides for additional travel lanes in both directions on I-65 from 0.76 miles north of Eastern Boulevard to 1.07 miles north of SR 131 in Clark County. The existing two lanes in each direction will be replaced by four lanes in each direction. In addition, frontage roads will be added to the project area.
"These funds will enable this critical transportation project to move forward," FHWA Deputy Administrator Gloria Jeff said. "This is the kind of strategic economic investment that will strengthen our transportation system and carry us into the new millennium."
FHWA discretionary funds are made available upon selection by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation after requests from states for funds for projects that meet criteria established by federal law and U.S. Department of Transportation regulations and procedures.
In addition to interstate maintenance, funds are made available to states in six other categories: construction and improvement of roads formally designated as scenic byways; bridge repair; repair of deficient bridges that need seismic retrofitting; innovative bridge research; construction of highways on public lands such as national parks; and ferry boats and terminals to facilitate movement of people and goods across inland and coastal waterways.
For fiscal year 2000, the FHWA allocated $88.5 million for interstate maintenance. The agency also allocated $20.3 million for scenic byways, $65.3 million for major bridge repair, $21.8 million for seismic retrofitting for bridges, $15.9 million for innovative bridge research, $42.8 million for highways on public lands, and $31.4 million for ferry boats and terminals.