U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $9.2 Million in Grants for South 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 repairing interstate pavement and restoring and replacing bridges
WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $9.2 million in grants for South Carolina to fund an array of highway-related efforts ranging from major rehabilitation efforts on I-20 in Kershaw County to improving safety on roads in the Hamilton Branch State Recreation Area.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for South 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.
South Carolina received funding for the following projects.
| PROJECT | AWARD |
|---|---|
| Resurfacing campground roads to improve safety and access on the Hamilton Branch State Recreation Area | $2,500,000 |
| Rehabilitating I-20 in Kershaw County | $2,000,000 |
| Acquiring four parcels of land for the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway Scenic Protection Project | $1,483,802 |
| Constructing a 4.6 mile/12-foot wide multiuse bike and pedestrian trail on the Beaufort Rail Trail/Green Corridor | $1,043,520 |
| Reconstructing SC 773 from I-26 to Rt. 521 using precast concrete | $794,000 |
| Expanding existing bicycle paths, including lane widening, on the Edisto Island National Scenic Byway | $635,500 |
| Constructing additional pullover and turnout areas on Edisto Island National Scenic Byway to improve safety for travelers and residents | $269,280 |
| Providing transportation career training programs | $198,675 |
| Reconstructing Road S-86 Bridge over Big Brown Creek with prefabricated bridge elements | $150,000 |
| Continuing training and education activities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms | $108,068 |
| Implementing comprehensive updates, including inventory and photography, to the Corridor Management Plan for the Western York County Scenic Byway | $40,922 |
| TOTAL | $9,223,767 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year's grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.