Nation's Top Highway Official Reviews New Road Project in Daytona |
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Topics: Interstate Highway System, Victor Mendez
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Federal Highway Administration
8 February 2011
FHWA 01-11
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Contact: Kelly Hanahan
Tel: 202-366-0660
New road, bridge will improve access, strengthen local economy
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -Recovery Act dollars are helping build a new roadway and bridge over I-95 which will strengthen the local economy by increasing accessibility to commercial and residential developments in the area, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez announced today as he toured work on the Dunn Avenue project in Daytona.
Administrator Mendez' visit follows President Obama's State of the Union Address, in which he stressed the importance of building the transportation infrastructure that will make our nation more competitive globally and strengthen our economy here at home.
Mendez was joined by Daytona Mayor Glenn Ritchey, Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno and other local transportation representatives to review progress on site. The Recovery Act paid for $5.5 million of the total $6.6 million project.
"This is just one example of what President Obama was talking about when he said we needed to out build the rest of the world," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This new project will improve access to homes and businesses and eventually encourage new development along the I-95 corridor."
This new construction will improve mobility and alleviate traffic congestion in a busy area that includes the airport and the Daytona International Speedway. It will also provide another route between the east and west sides of the city. When completed this summer, the new bridge and adjacent new road will allow for the more efficient movement of people and goods along I-95.
"People are excited and proud of what is being built here, and they should be," Administrator Mendez said. "It's putting people to work and creating economic opportunities along with building a new road."
Of the $26.6 billion in Recovery Act highway funds available for road and bridge projects nationwide, Florida's share is $1.35 billion. As of January 28, the state has 391 projects under way and 213 completed.