U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $2.5 Million in Grants for Delaware Highway Projects |
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Topics: Ray LaHood
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Federal Highway Administration
17 August 2011
FHWA 37-11
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Contact: Doug Hecox
Tel: 202-366-0660
Funds will help create jobs by building a bridge in Wyoming and a recreational trail along the C&D Canal
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced nearly $2.5 million in grants to fund an array of highway-related efforts in Delaware including innovative bridge construction.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for Delaware residents as well as strengthen the state's economy," said Secretary LaHood. "The demand from the states for these funds shows just how critical the need is for infrastructure investment."
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) invited states to apply in June for federal funding from 14 grant programs. Requests poured in from every state, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. – more than 1,800 applications, totaling nearly $13 billion, which is more than 30 times the funds available.
"At a time when states are facing serious budgetary constraints, these grants will help fill a critical need," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "Investments like these are immediate and long-lasting, and will help create jobs."
Congress created the discretionary grant programs to give FHWA the latitude to support projects that maintain the nation's roads and bridges, improve roadway safety and make communities more livable. In previous years, Congress designated some of this grant money for specific projects and FHWA awarded the remainder through a competitive process. Because the FY11 budget passed by Congress last April directed that all such funds be discretionary, FHWA awarded these funds through a competitive process.
Delaware received funding for the following projects:
| PROJECT | AWARD |
|---|---|
| Construction of recreation trail along the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal in Delaware City, Summit/Middletown, and Chesapeake City | $1,000,000 |
| Environmental planning for Garasches Lane project, connecting Business US 13 to US 13 in Wilmington | $521,760 |
| Construction of bridge using innovative pre-stressed concrete beams on West Railroad Avenue over Isaac Branch in Wyoming | $300,000 |
| Improvements of signs along Delaware byways | $271,400 |
| Training program on competing for federal highway projects for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms | $171,108 |
| Efforts to improve pre-career, and entry- and managerial-level opportunities for women and minorities in highway construction | $99,972 |
| Development of Corridor Management Plan for Lewes Byway Corridor | $99,312 |
| Assistance in planning Hometown Overlay District in Greenville | $92,339 |
| TOTAL | $2,555,891 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year's grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.