The U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) recently awarded the first grants under the new Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (RIA) program to five transportation projects. The grants total $5 million.
The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act created the program, and it is funded through the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020. The program is designed to accelerate project delivery using a variety of ways including preliminary engineering and design work, studies and analysis, and project planning.
“This program will help regional transportation agencies deliver projects more effectively, benefitting communities around the country,” Morteza Farajian, Build America Bureau executive director, said.
The project receiving awards are:
- The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, $1 million, for bridge rehabilitations, ADA transitions, and electric vehicle infrastructure.
- The Fresno Council of Governments in Fresno, Calif., $1 million, for two rail intermodal complexes; roadway access and interchange improvements, and a truck mobility complex.
- The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency in Cleveland, $295,000, for an intermodal facility, airport access improvement, road improvement to healthcare facility, and pedestrian connection.
- The San Diego Association of Governments, $1.47 million, for regional rail infrastructure.
- The Pacific Northwest Economic Region in Seattle, $1.235 million, for rail and freight improvements; seaport emission reduction, and highway/rail grade separation.