U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $18.8 Million in Grants for Pennsylvania 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 and bridge improvements and upgrading key interstates
WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $18.8 million in grants for Pennsylvania to fund an array of highway-related efforts including upgrading I- 95 in Philadelphia and the I-79/I-70 interchange in Washington County.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania received funding for the following projects:
| PROJECT | AWARD |
|---|---|
| Reconstructing and widening I-95 between Levick Street and Bleigh Avenue on the I-95 Cottman Avenue--Princeton Mainline in Philadelphia | $3,750,000 |
| Making safety improvements to Steinwehr Avenue Corridor for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers in Gettysburg National Military Park and Cemetery. | $3,285,000 |
| Upgrading traffic signals to improve mobility and safety in Philadelphia | $3,261,000 |
| Constructing a new ramp and rehabilitating structures on the I-79-/I-70 Interchange in Washington County | $3,245,500 |
| Repairing the roof and replacing deteriorated areas of the Rock Covered Bridge in Schuylkill County | $1,100,000 |
| Developing the Pittsburgh Pool Landside Water Shuttle Landings to enable more access to downtown | $985,000 |
| Extending a multi-use trail on Journey Through Hallowed Ground Byway Seminary Ridge Trail | $960,000 |
| Replacing deteriorated timber, repairing the roof, and installing a fire prevention system in the Martin’s Mill Covered Bridge | $704,000 |
| Acquiring lakefront property to protect scenic resources on Great Lakes Seaway Trail Scenic Byway | $460,000 |
| Reducing impacts of land development and maintaining views along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Scenic Byway | $434,000 |
| Expanding services to promote the growth of disadvantaged business enterprise firms | $267,461 |
| Providing information about local points of interest along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Scenic Byway | $156,100 |
| Repairing areas of the Neff Mill’s Covered Bridge including damaged timber | $90,400 |
| Conducting study on tourist shuttle bus for the Historic National Road/Laurel Highlands Byways | $72,000 |
| Developing a database tracking system for summer internship programs through the Transportation Learning Center - Youth Career Pipeline Program. | $69,518 |
| TOTAL | $18,839,979 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year's grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.