The U.S. Department of Transportation just handed out a cool $1.73 billion in grants, spreading the love (and the concrete) across 127 infrastructure projects in every single state and D.C. Because apparently, even our roads need a little TLC.
Unsurprisingly, the lion's share—about $1.3 billion—is earmarked for good old roads and bridges. Public transit, while still getting a respectable $169.9 million, ended up with less than 10% of the total pie. So, less fancy new trains, more smoother commutes for your car.
Where Did All That Cash Come From?
These grants are a product of the wonderfully acronym-heavy BUILD program (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development). The bulk of the funds, $1.5 billion, came from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The rest? A bit of spare change from canceled RAISE grants (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) and other congressional coffers. Because even federal budgets have a couch cushion full of forgotten money.
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Start Your News DetoxDOT was practically swamped with nearly 1,200 applications, all collectively asking for over $14.5 billion. Clearly, everyone's infrastructure could use a glow-up.
Hitting the Highway
Some notable highway projects getting a substantial boost include:
- Brook Park, Ohio: $25 million to overhaul the Interstate 71 interchange, which will also spruce up local roads and add transit and pedestrian features. Because even interstates need to be walkable now.
- Norman County, Minnesota: A solid $24 million to replace up to three bridges over the Red River of the North, connecting Minnesota and North Dakota. Because nobody likes a rickety bridge, especially when it's connecting two states.
- North Dakota Department of Transportation: Another $24 million to lay down new pavement and install 10 miles of high-tension cable guardrails along Interstate 94. Because safety, and also, fewer potholes to ruin your morning coffee.
Riding the Rails (and Buses)
Public transit also saw some significant injections of cash:
- Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART): $25 million to make eight train stations across two light rail lines more accessible. Because everyone deserves to catch a train without scaling a small mountain.
- Rhode Island Public Transit Authority: $25 million to construct a brand-new transit center in downtown Providence, conveniently located next to the Amtrak station. It'll feature bus facilities, bike and scooter options, and a cozy indoor passenger area. Because waiting for a bus in the rain is so last century.
- Virginia Passenger Rail Authority: $25 million to finalize the design and construction of an overnight rail yard. This yard will support current and future passenger rail services. Because trains, like people, need a place to sleep.
Other grants quietly snuck off to aviation, freight and passenger rail, and even truck parking projects. Because even truckers need a decent place to nap. Let that satisfying number, $1.73 billion, sink in. Your next smooth ride just got a lot more likely.
