U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $8.8 Million in Grants for North Carolina 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 expanding highway improvements, upgrading an interstate interchange and enhancing ferry boat service and scenic byways
WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $8.8 million in grants for North Carolina to fund an array of highway-related efforts including upgrading the I-40/I-77 Interchange in Iredell County.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for North Carolina 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.
North Carolina received funding for the following projects:
| PROJECT | AWARD |
|---|---|
| Improving I-40/I-77 Interchange in Iredell County | $3,750,000 |
| Constructing ramp and gantry for the Cherry Branch Ferry in Craven County | $1,185,000 |
| Building a connector on the Sweetwater Road Extension | $978,300 |
| Designing and constructing next phase of the South Tar River Greenway | $907,609 |
| Installing exit-gate detection technology, revising traffic signalization and other safety measures on the Southeast Corridor in Mebane and Elon | $606,240 |
| Installing roundabout at high-traffic intersection in Matthews | $526,027 |
| Providing technical assistance and training for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms | $323,155 |
| Conducting inventory and assessment of historic structures on the Blue Ridge Parkway | $240,000 |
| Installing signs on Outer Banks National Scenic Byway | $201,120 |
| Making restorations to Bunker Hill Covered Bridge | $105,737 |
| TOTAL | $8,823,188 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year's grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.