U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Jackson Announces Over $30.1 Million in Grants for Arkansas |
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Topics: Michael P. Jackson
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Federal Highway Administration
April 15, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 15, 2002
Contact: Lori Irving
Telephone: 202-366-0660
FHWA 10-02
LITTLE ROCK, AR-U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Michael P. Jackson, joined by U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Lieutenant Governor Win Rockefeller, U.S. Representative Vic Snyder and Arkansas' five highway commissioners, today announced that Arkansas will receive more than $30.1 million in Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding for highway construction projects.
"President Bush in his State of the Union address called on Americans to get the economy growing strongly again. Funding these routes will provide jobs, make travel more efficient and lead to increased trade and economic growth in Arkansas," U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said. "As trade among the states and with Canada and Mexico increases, it is vital that we have roads and bridges that are safe and conducive to commerce."
This funding includes $26.9 million from the national corridor planning and development and the coordinated border infrastructure programs, and $3.2 million from the transportation and community and system preservation (TCSP) pilot program.
Funding through the borders and corridors programs includes $3.9 million for the Interstate 69 connector from Highway 50 in Pine Bluff; $6.8 million for improvements to Highway 71 in Texarkana; $14.6 million for improvements to U.S. Highway 63 in northeast Arkansas; and $1.7 million for airport access and improvements to Phoenix Avenue in Fort Smith.
TCSP funds include $991,307 for improvements between Alma and Mena on Highway 71; $1.5 million for the Carraway Overpass in Jonesboro; and $743,480 for construction of a bypass in Stuttgart, AR.
The corridors program funds projects in the 43 congressionally designated high-priority corridors and other significant corridors based on factors specified in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The borders program is designed to improve border transportation infrastructure and operations that facilitate the safe movement of people and goods at or near the U.S.-Canada and the U.S.-Mexico borders.
TCSP funds are used to help achieve locally determined goals such as improving transportation efficiency; reducing the potential negative effects of transportation on the environment; providing better access to jobs, services and trade centers; reducing the need for costly future infrastructure; and revitalizing underdeveloped and brownfield sites. Grants also can be used to examine urban development patterns and create strategies that encourage private companies to work toward these goals in designing new developments.