U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $3.15 Million Recovery Act Grant for Burlington, Vermont Waterfront |
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Topics: Ray LaHood
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Federal Highway Administration
September 28, 2010
FHWA 49-10
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Contact: Kelly Hanahan
Phone: 202-366-0660
Project will stimulate economy, improve access for residents
WASHINGTON - Work can officially begin on the Burlington Waterfront North Project as the result of a signed agreement between the U.S. Department of Transportation and the City of Burlington for $3.15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today.
"Recovery Act dollars are helping make Burlington a better place to live and work," said Secretary LaHood. "Here in Burlington, as in so many cities and communities across the country, Recovery Act projects are strengthening our infrastructure and creating well-paying jobs."
The project involves the rehabilitation and reconstruction of a section of Lake Street, the principal north-south access roadway servicing the downtown Lake Champlain waterfront, and the realignment and improvement of the Waterfront Bike Path.
"Recovery Act funds will help further revitalize and renovate this industrial area in Burlington," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "The roadway and bike and pedestrian trails will be reconstructed and realigned to provide safer transportation choices at the waterfront."
The Burlington Waterfront North Project reclaims a portion of the formerly industrial downtown waterfront and enhances public access to the Lake Champlain shoreline. The waterfront currently suffers from inadequate transportation infrastructure, which creates significant safety concerns, restricts public access and limits economic development potential.
The $3.15 million was awarded under the Recovery Act's TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant program. TIGER funding is intended to promote innovative, multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects that provide significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, region or the nation.
The Department announced the selection of $1.5 billion worth of TIGER grants for 51 projects as part of the one-year anniversary of the Recovery Act on February 17.