The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently awarded a $71 million federal transportation grant to the city of Memphis, Tennessee in efforts to cut congestion on freight-critical Lamar Avenue.
Awarded by USDOT’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program, Memphis was selected for the funds from a pool of 235 applicants. As a result, the money will go toward relieving lanes crowded by such industry giants as the BNSF intermodal rail yard, the Memphis International Airport, FedEx Worldwide headquarters, and the Port of Memphis.
“Right now, if you take Lamar Avenue, you’re probably late to work, but this $71 million federal grant is critical to Memphis as ‘America’s distribution center’ – it will be used to widen and improve the road, and move cars and freight through Memphis more quickly,” U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said.
The Lamar Avenue improvements are part of a three-year transportation plan proposed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
“The City of Memphis is vital to the nation’s ability to move goods – and more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, including FedEx and BNSF, along with 1,100 transportation, distribution, and logistics companies call Lamar Avenue home – but it is severely congested,” Alexander said. “The Port of Memphis is the 5th largest inland port in the United States, and the city is served by five Class I railroads, which means thousands of jobs depend on making sure freight can more easily move through Memphis.”