U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced $1.8 billion in awards from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 148 projects across the country.

The announcement brings the total amount of RAISE grants to more than $7.2 billion for over 550 projects across the country.

“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. “Through President Biweather andisan 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.”

The RAISE Program

The competitive and popular RAISE program, which was authorized $1.5 billion a year on top of already appropriated funds thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supports a diverse slate of communities with projects of local and regional significance.

Funding is split equally between urban and rural areas, and a large percentage of grants support regions defined as historically disadvantaged or areas of persistent poverty.

The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, to pursue multimodal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs.

RAISE discretionary grants invest in critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects that would otherwise not receive the funding needed if not for President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Projects Funded

As in years past, the demand for RAISE funding outpaced available funds, with the USDOT receiving almost $13 billion in requests for the $1.8 billion available this year.

Project selections include: 

• $23,529,000 for the Electrify Downeast Acadia Project in Washington, Penobscot, and Hancock Counties, Maine – The project will replace Downeast Transportation Inc.'s bus fleet with 24 electric buses and chargers, focusing on safety, environmental sustainability, economic competitiveness, and innovation. The project aligns with the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing charging infrastructure.

• $20,704,712 for the Joe Louis Meets the Iron Belle: Connecting Communities in Detroit Project in Detroit, Michigan – The project will fund the construction of two shared-use paths in the Joe Louis Greenway and Iron Belle Trail systems. The improvements will be made on Woodmere Street and Dequindre Street, focusing on safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility, economic competitiveness, and partnership. The project will address safety, reduce air pollution, and improve quality of life through more affordable transportation options and aims to address historic inequities caused by transportation infrastructure.

• $3,906,652 for the Browning Streets Community Connectivity Planning Project on the Blackfeet Reservation, Montana – The project will fund planning and design for reconstructing streets in Browning, taking a Complete Streets approach to addressing roadway safety and pedestrian issues. Planning efforts will seek to improve access to daily destinations while decreasing dependency on motor vehicles.

• $12,044,800 for the Holloway Street: Safe Access to Durham’s Busiest Transit Route Project in Durham, North Carolina – The project will improve 33 intersections, including ADA curb ramps and crosswalks, tighten curb radii, upgrade bus stop amenities, and close sidewalk gaps. It focuses on safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness, partnership, collaboration, and innovation. The project aims to reduce fatalities and injuries, reduce conflicts, and improve connectivity for non-motorized travelers. It also aims to reduce community reliance on vehicular traffic, support electrification, and promote public health. The project also focuses on mobility and community connectivity, integrating ADA requirements and improving accessibility for non-motorized travelers.

• $25,000,000 for the Santa Ana Boulevard Grade Separation Project in Santa Ana, California – The project will fund the reconstruction of an existing rail crossing with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority Orange Line double tracks at Santa Ana Boulevard, adjacent to the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, with a new multimodal grade separated underpass. The reconstructed roadway will be reduced from six-lanes to four-lanes with on-street protected bikeways, sidewalks, and a pedestrian overcrossing is included that parallels the rail line. Additionally, the project will include connection to the future Golden Loop trail system, with 17.5 miles of planned trail improvements for access to the wider Santa Ana trail and recreational park network. Also, the project will eliminate vehicle idling when the at-grade crossing is closed, thereby improving air quality for the surrounding communities.

For a full list, click here.