USDOT announced that the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program has awarded $2.2 billion to 162 infrastructure projects located throughout the nation, a substantial increase compared to the $1.5 billion awarded last year.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced on June 28 that the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program has awarded $2.2 billion to 162 infrastructure projects located throughout the nation, a substantial increase compared to the $1.5 billion awarded last year. The RAISE grant program supports communities of various sizes, with half of the funding awarded to rural area projects and the other half to urban ones.

The RAISE program, which aims to support projects that reduce bottlenecks, strengthen supply chains, and/or replace bridges and roads, was recently expanded under the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA). The awards announced on June 28 include:

• Chula Vista, CA: Palomar Street Grade Separation Project: $21.5 million to eliminate a rail crossing that causes frequent delays for drivers and also separates Palomar Street from the rail corridor, making it safer for people who walk, bike, and roll.
• Iowa: Rebuilding Bridges: $24.7 million grant to replace up to 9 bridges in poor condition in rural counties.
• Eudora, KS: Church Street Community Connectivity and Multimodal Enhancements Project: $21 million grant to convert a two-lane road into three lanes with a center turn lane and new shared-use paths.
• Jackson, KY: Panbowl Lake Corridor Project: $21 million grant to make improvements to KY 15, and strengthen an earthen dam that helps protect community from catastrophic flooding.
• New Orleans, LA: New Orleans Downtown Transit Center and Connecting Corridors: $24.8 million grant to construct a Downtown Transit Center for the city’s bus and streetcar network.
• North Bergen, NJ: Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project: $25 million grant to relocate and construct a new bridge over a new railroad right-of-way for the new Hudson River Trunnel.
• Standing Rock, SD: Route 6 Reconstruction and Preservation: $18.5 million grant to resurface BIA 6 on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
• Caldwell County, TX: SH 130 Advanced Commercial Truck Travel Plaza: $22.9 million grant to construct a truck parking plaza for truck drivers.

Click here for more details about each of the 162 awarded infrastructure projects.