USDOT to award $905 million in INFRA grants

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg yesterday announced that the Biden-Harris administration intends to award more than $905 million to 24 projects in 18 states under the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program.

The grants advance the administration’s priorities of rebuilding U.S. infrastructure and creating jobs by funding highway and rail projects of regional and national economic significance, U.S. Department of Transportation officials said in a press release.

"These timely investments in our infrastructure will create jobs and support regional economies, while helping to spur innovation, confront climate change and address inequities across the country," Buttigieg said.

INFRA grants were selected based on several criteria. In addition to prioritizing projects that would improve local economies, create jobs, and meet all statutory requirements, for the first time grants were considered by how they would address climate change, environmental justice and racial equity.

Some of the rail-related projects recommended for awards were previously announced. Other awardees and their grant amounts include:
• the city of Wenatchee, Washington, $92,412,004 to construct a network of projects on an 11-mile loop, including intersection improvements to SR 285/North Wenatchee Avenue, construction of a railroad underpass on McKittrick Street and replacement of a signalized intersection with a roundabout at US 2/Easy Street;
• Illinois Department of Transportation, $19,137,780, to grade separate Archer Avenue roadway and two existing Belt Railway Co. of Chicago tracks; and
• South Jersey Port Corp., $9 million, to rehabilitate a 150-foot bulkhead and extend it to 500 linear feet; dredging the new berth; acquire an adjacent 6-acre former glass-manufacturing facility; and perform site preparation, improvements and refurbish a multimodal rail connection.