AASHTO Journal - USDOT Announces $1.8 Billion in RAISE Grants

Almost 150 transportation projects across the country are receiving a funding boost after U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the award of $1.8 billion in Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity or RAISE grants.

[Above photo by USDOT]

This latest announcement, awarding dollars to 148 projects—19 of which belonging to state departments of transportation, brings the total RAISE grants to over $7.2 billion for more than 550 projects since the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, was signed into law. “After decades of underinvestment, the condition of America’s infrastructure is now finally getting better instead of worse – and today we proudly announce our support for 148 more projects in communities of every size across the country,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the news release.

“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.”

This funding will significantly bolster local and state projects nationwide. State DOT projects receiving funding in this round of RAISE grants are as follows:

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities’ Alaska Highway Permafrost Degradation Restoration: This project received $25 million to restore about 45 miles of the Alaska Highway affected by thawing permafrost and climate change.
Arkansas Department of Transportation’s I-49 Extension: This project will extend I-49 by approximately 14 miles with a four-lane, divided, controlled-access facility. With a $25 million grant, the project includes a new bridge over the Arkansas River, four interchanges, grade separations, and local road improvements.
District Department of Transportation’s New York Avenue Bridge and Lincoln Connector Trail Project: With a $25 million grant, this project will build an approximately 1.8-mile multi-modal shared-use path connecting the Fort Lincoln neighborhood to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. This project involves constructing a new pedestrian bridge and rehabilitating the New York Ave NE Bridge.
Delaware Department of Transportation’s MLK Boulevard/South Little Creek Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Connector: This project received more than $12 million to improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure along the north side of South Little Creek Road from Horsepond Road to Bay Road. The project includes upgrades at intersections with shared-use paths, crosswalks, curb ramps, pedestrian refuge islands, and median fencing.
Hawaii Department of Transportation’s Hilo Bayfront Highway and Waianuenue Avenue Intersection Improvements: Enhancing safety for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, this project received over $17 million to reconstruct roadways for a single-lane roundabout, ADA-compliant sidewalks, roadway crossings, drainage improvements, and parking reconfigurations.
Illinois Department of Transportation’s Bloomington-Normal to Peoria Express Bus Feasibility Study: With a $1.2 million grant, this project will conduct a feasibility study for express bus service along a 47-mile corridor. The initiative aims to enhance transit service, boost ridership, and mitigate motor vehicle crashes in the area.
Kansas Department of Transportation’s Canal Route Modernization Study: With $1.6 million, the project will conduct a Planning and Environmental Linkages Study for a 5.5-mile segment of I-135 in Wichita. The study aims to reduce crash rates significantly below the statewide average and enhance services for underserved communities along the Canal Route.
Maryland Department of Transportation Aviation Administration’s BWI Marshall Airport Multimodal Ground Transportation Center and Automated People Mover Planning Study: Supported by an $800,000 grant, this project will evaluate the feasibility of a multimodal ground transportation center at the airport terminal core and an automated people mover for on- and off-airport functions. It includes stakeholder engagement, concept identification and refinement, a funding plan, and implementation steps. The study strives to bolster the safety of the airport’s multimodal ground transportation for pedestrians and cyclists.
Maryland Department of Transportation’s Reisterstown Plaza Metro Station – Multimodal Access Project: The Maryland DOT will use its nearly $4.9 million grant to fund the preliminary design and environmental study for the Reisterstown Plaza Metro Station Transit-oriented Development. The project will feature accessibility and safety improvements, including high-visibility crosswalks and road diets, alongside other Complete Streets enhancements along Wabash Avenue.
Maine Department of Transportation’s East Deering: Pathways to Bridge the Gap Project: With a $25 million grant, this project will build active transportation and roadway infrastructure in Portland’s East Deering neighborhood. This includes a network of shared-use paths with enhanced lighting and drainage, improvements to active transportation pathways on local roads and intersections, and modifications to the I-295 ramp system serving the neighborhood.
Maine Department of Transportation’s Electrify Downeast Acadia Project: The Maine DOT received $23.5 million to purchase about 24 electric buses, chargers, and infrastructure for Downeast Transportation Inc. This project aims to modernize the bus fleet with advanced safety features to reduce bus-to-person collisions, especially involving vulnerable road users.
Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Highway 59 Worthington Complete Streets: With a more than $15 million grant, the project will reconstruct Oxford Street and Humiston Avenue (Hwy 59) to include Complete Streets enhancements such as sidewalks, shared-use paths, roundabouts, and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons.
Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s Bridging the Gap: Multimodal Connections over the Oklahoma River: This project, with support from a $17 million grant, will construct a multimodal bridge west of the southbound I-35 bridge. This new bridge will connect both sides of the recently completed Oklahoma River Trail system, enhancing safety with a new multimodal path near the southbound I-35 bridge to protect non-motorized travelers and reduce fatalities and injuries.
Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s Henderson Phase 2 Multimodal Connections: With a $25 million grant, this project will transform Henderson Parkway into a low-speed facility, integrating non-motorized facilities. The project involves demolishing an existing bridge, loop ramp, and about two traffic signals. Safety enhancements will prioritize protecting non-motorized travelers through dedicated and separated multi-use paths.
South Dakota Department of Transportation’s US 18 Reconstruction in Bennett County: The project received $25 million to reconstruct about 11 miles of US 18. The reconstruction will include six-foot shoulders and rumble strips, providing dedicated space to separate bicyclists and pedestrians from vehicle travel lanes.
Utah Department of Transportation’s Utah Trail Network Four Corners Planning Study: With a $9.6 million grant, this project will conduct the planning activities for the construction of a paved separated shared-use trail along US-191, US-163, and SR-162 in southeast Utah and in the Navajo nation.
West Virginia Department of Transportation Division of Highways’ Campus Complete Streets Improvements: The West Virginia DOT intends to use its more than $10 million grant for constructing Complete Streets and traffic calming measures along about a half mile of West Virginia 210. The project includes building mini roundabouts, extending avenues, converting West Virginia 210 to one-way northbound, adding or repairing crosswalks and sidewalks and other enhancements.
West Virginia Department of Transportation’s Westover Gateway Revitalization Plan: With a $1.2 million grant, the West Virginia DOT will conduct a study to explore multimodal corridor upgrades along a section of US 19. The project aims to enhance safety, efficiency, and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, along with improving the roadway configuration.
Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Wind River Canyon Corridor Resilience and Feasibility Study: The project will conduct a resilience and feasibility study to inform planning decisions for the Wind River Canyon Corridor. Funded by a $1.6 million grant, the study will assess risks such as rock falls, landslides, inclement weather, and crashes that often cause closures and travel delays in the corridor.