U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $11.5 Million in Grants for Nevada 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 with construction of major new interchange in Las Vegas, bypass at Boulder City, bike paths and other road projects
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced nearly $11.5 million in grants to fund an array of highway-related efforts in Nevada, such as constructing a bypass at Boulder City to ease traffic congestion and an interchange on I-15 at Cactus Avenue, which is the state’s top highway priority and in a high-growth area in Las Vegas.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for Nevada 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.
Nevada received funding for the following projects:
| PROJECT | AWARD |
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| Construction of I-15 Cactus Avenue Interchange in Las Vegas | $3,750,000 |
| Developing a 3.2-mile segment of a 43-mile bikeway along US 50 between Stateline and Lake Tahoe, CA | $2,526,442 |
| Construction of Boulder City Bypass to ease local congestion on I-515 in Boulder City | $2,000,000 |
| Construction of bike path connecting Eastshore Drive National Scenic Byway from Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park in Lake Tahoe | $2,000,000 |
| Construction of Reno-Sparks Complete Street Project | $978,300 |
| Construction of new parking facilities and dump stations at Hickison Petroglyphs Recreation Area near US 50 in Austin | $160,000 |
| Reconstruction of access road near Wilson Reservoir Campground Recreation area in Tuscarora | $62,050 |
| Development of Corridor Management Plan for Mt. Rose Scenic Byway in Washoe County | $43,797 |
| Development of Corridor Management Plan for Washoe Valley Scenic Byway in Washoe County | $33,320 |
| TOTAL | $11,553,909 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year’s grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.