The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a significant investment of $1.8 billion in funding for projects aimed at improving the country's aging infrastructure and enhancing the supply chain. The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program will benefit projects of local and regional importance, with a focus on transportation and supply chain development.
Freight Projects Receive Over $163 Million in Funding
A total of 14 freight-related projects have been awarded funding, with a combined value of over $163 million. These projects aim to improve freight transport, increase efficiency, and reduce costs for consumers. Some of the notable projects include:
$25 million for the Wrangell Harbor Basin project in Alaska, designed to improve freight transport
$25 million for the I-49 extension in Arkansas, aimed at increasing freight movement
$21.2 million for the redevelopment of Menominee Harbor's general cargo transportation terminal in Michigan
$17.9 million for the shipping terminal rail connection at the Port of Bellingham in Washington, which will reduce truck traffic
$15 million for the development of a regional supply chain system in New Mexico, stretching across three states
Other Transportation Projects Receive Funding
In addition to freight projects, the grant program has also awarded funding for other transportation-related initiatives, including:
$5.6 million for the New York City Department of Transportation's Urban Freight Mobility Collaborative, which aims to encourage the replacement of freight vehicles with alternative modes of transportation
$3.9 million for the port development project in Nulato Village, Alaska, which will reduce the cost of shipping goods
$1.6 million for the Route 122 Regional Corridor Plan in Virginia, which will consider last-mile freight deliveries
Secretary Pete Buttigieg's Statement
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of these projects, stating, "Through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we're funding projects across the country to make roads safer, make it easier for people to move around their community, make transportation infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather, and improve supply chains to keep costs down for consumers."
These projects demonstrate the Department of Transportation's commitment to improving the nation's infrastructure and enhancing the supply chain, ultimately benefiting consumers and the economy as a whole.
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