U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $5.2 Million in Grants for Kentucky 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: Nancy Singer
Tel: 202-366-0660
Funds will help create jobs by repairing interstate pavement and restoring and replacing bridges
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $5.2 million in grants for Kentucky to fund an array of highway-related efforts ranging from repairing pavement on I-471 in Campbell County to replacing a bridge over Pleasant Run Creek in Grayson County using innovative construction techniques.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for Kentucky 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 nations 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.
Kentucky received funding for the following projects:
| PROJECT | AWARD |
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| I-471 Pavement rehab and added southbound lane from Ohio River Bridge to Memorial Parkway in Campbell County | $3,375,000 |
| Restoration of Beech Fork covered bridge | 694,440 |
| Study of US 51 Ohio Bridge replacement | 500,000 |
| Training and equipment for laborers | 175,000 |
| Replacing KY 736 over Pleasant Run Creek bridge in Grayson County with Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil technology | 170,000 |
| Technical training and development of underutilized Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms | 145,500 |
| Restoration of Ringos Mill covered bridge | 101,600 |
| Shelbyville Road Old US 60 Bridge engineering study | 100,000 |
| Improving Augusta Ferry diesel generator | 12,000 |
| TOTAL | $5,273,540 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year's grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.