U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced $1 billion in grants for 70 projects in 44 states Wednesday.
The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants will be directed towards projects that support improving the country’s surface transportation infrastructure.
“This Administration is making significant investments in infrastructure, and this $1 billion in BUILD grants will repair, rebuild, and revitalize transportation systems across America,” Chao said.
The grants are awarded on a competitive basis for projects with a significant local or regional impact on roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports, or intermodal transportation.
At least 50 percent of the BUILD grants will be directed to project in rural areas. The maximum BUILD grant award is $25 million, and no more than $100 million can be given to one state.
The awards include nearly $39 million for three projects in Kentucky repairing KY 536 in Northern Kentucky that would improve an access corridor near a Kroger and Fed Ex distribution site; widening of US 25W near Corbin; and the replacement of a bridge on US 79 near Russellville. Other projects include $15 million to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for a Riverwalk area that would include improvements to a barge mooring area, a bicycle and pedestrian path, and a pedestrian bridge; and $11,656,765 for a pedestrian and bicycle trail in Billings, Mont.