U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $4.5 Million in Grants for Wisconsin 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 improving highways and bridges throughout the state, including the reconstruction of a major interstate interchange
WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $4.5 million in grants for Wisconsin to fund an array of highway-related efforts including the reconstruction of the I-94/SR 65 Interchange reconstruction, using innovative materials, in St. Croix County.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin received funding for the following projects:
| PROJECT | AWARD |
|---|---|
| I-94/SR 65 Interchange reconstruction using Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) in St. Croix County | $3,750,000 |
| Constructing more parking and pathways to increase accessibility for travelers on the Door Country Coastal Byway | $216,800 |
| Constructing a parking lot and 2,600 feet of accessible ADA pedestrian/bicycle paths connecting to the Great River Road Byway | $189,500 |
| Loan mobilization program and small business programs | $165,870 |
| Supporting 12 kiosks for the Door County Coastal Byway to help guide byway travelers | $138,200 |
| YWCA recruitment and training in Madison | $38,000 |
| Cutler Road Improvement Project in Cutler Township | $31,500 |
| TOTAL | $4,529,870 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year's grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.