U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $417.3 million in grants to fund an array of projects across the nation, including the Columbia River Crossing (CRC).
CRC will receive two grants totaling $5 million this fiscal year to move the bridge project to the next phase of design, according to transportation officials.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) invited states to apply in June for federal funding from 14 grant programs. More than 1,800 requests poured in from every state, officials said, totaling nearly $13 billion, or more than 30 times the funds available.
“Transportation investments like these will create jobs, increase mobility, improve quality of life for all Americans and strengthen our national economy,” said Secretary LaHood in a press release. “The demand from the states for these funds shows just how critical the need is for infrastructure investment.”
CRC received the award available under the Interstate Maintenance Discretionary (IMD) Program with a $2 million grant to the Washington State Department of Transportation and a $3 million grant to the Oregon Department of Transportation. A total of $100 million was available to be awarded nationwide under the IMD program and priority was given to projects with high traffic volumes in urban areas.
