Five essential N.Y traffic hubs will be receiving a facelift thanks to funding stemming from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The Biden-Harris Administration has awarded $59.2 million from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program.
RAISE grants are specifically for planning and capital investments that support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports, or intermodal transportation.
“We are proud to support so many outstanding infrastructure projects in communities large and small, modernizing America’s transportation systems to make them safer, more affordable, more accessible, and more sustainable,” said U.S. transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg.
This year’s total allocations nationwide include more than $2.2 billion thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The Infrastructure Law will provide an additional $7.5 billion over five years for the program.
“Using funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this year we are supporting more projects than ever before,” said Buttigieg while announcing the funding on Aug. 11.
Evaluation criteria for eligible projects includes:
- Safety
- Environmental sustainability
- Quality of life
- Economic competitiveness
- Opportunity, partnership and collaboration
- Innovation
- State of good repair
- Mobility and community connectivity
Within these areas, consideration was also given to how projects could improve accessibility for all travelers, as well as bolster supply chain efficiency, and support racial equity and economic growth.
Historically disadvantaged communities and areas of persistent poverty were given priority.
Nearly two-thirds of projects receiving funding are located in areas of persistent poverty.
For a full list of awards, please visit: RAISE 2022 Award Fact Sheets.
In New York, the following projects will benefit from RAISE awards:
Transforming Main Street
The City of Buffalo will receive $25 million to improve a 2.5-mile corridor of Main Street into a multimodal Complete Streets.
The project will improve safety through decreased emergency response times.
It will expand non-motorized transportation options by creating a dedicated cycle track with smart bicycle signal sensors.
The cycle track will allow for safer and more efficient bicycle travel to major employment centers along the corridor.
North Genesee Street Gateway Bridge and Multi-Modal Connector Project
The New York State Department of Transportation will receive $18.2 million to replace two aging bridges and make bike/pedestrian improvements with the installation of multi-use lanes along North Genesse Street and turn lanes to promote traffic calming.
The project will provide reliable access for residents to safely connect to better job opportunities, retail, essential services, and recreational trails for all modes of transportation, including affordable non-motorized transportation, without the risk of road closures or load limits.
The project will provide improved safety and travel time reliability by improving at-risk infrastructure, improving transit connection and safer access to pedestrian and bike options.
Southern Tier Regional Transit Hub
The Seneca Nation of Indians will receive $7.6 million to develop and construct the Southern Tier Regional Transit Hub.
The Hub will be a transit facility consisting of a combined transit hub and bus storage facility that will be operated by the Seneca Nation Department of Transportation and Seneca Transit System.
The project will extend the life of buses and equipment by creating sheltered spots for maintenance and storage of fleet vehicles.
This facility will also provide riders with sheltered places to make transit connections, offering protection from adverse weather and improving the transit experience.
NYC Greenway Expansion Planning
The City of New York will receive nearly $7.3 million for this planning project to enable a major expansion of the NYC greenway network, with a focus on underdeveloped greenway sections.
The project will result in an Early Action corridor plan, Future Action corridor plans, and a greenways vision plan.
The project will reduce crashes and injuries by installing dedicated bike lanes to help protect cyclists.
It will also increase transportation options and reduce vehicle miles traveled, as well as incorporate innovative recycled pavement materials into construction.
The project will help fill the gaps between existing greenway paths which will reduce the burden of commuting to employment centers and provide access to more transit stations.
Comprehensive Roadway Infrastructure Planning and Design Project
The Shinnecock Indian Nation will receive $1.1 million for this planning project to provide comprehensive roadway infrastructure planning and design services, for the Shinnecock Indian Nation’s existing roads, using the Complete Streets approach.
Grant funding will also be used to update the Nation’s Long-Range Transportation Plan.
The improvements will upgrade roads to accommodate both motorized and non-motorized transportation and improve safety for all users.
The project is expected to:
- Reduce emissions through improved traffic flow and more cycling and walking options
- Widen the roads, making them more accessible to existing public transit, reducing vehicle dependence.
- Strengthen the local economy through improved access to essential and recreational destinations
NYC Greenway Expansion Planning
The City of New York will receive nearly $7.3 million for this planning project to enable a major expansion of the NYC greenway network, with a focus on underdeveloped greenway sections.
The project will result in an Early Action corridor plan, Future Action corridor plans, and a greenways vision plan.
The project will reduce crashes and injuries by installing dedicated bike lanes to help protect cyclists.
It will also increase transportation options and reduce vehicle miles traveled, as well as incorporate innovative recycled pavement materials into construction.
The project will help fill the gaps between existing greenway paths which will reduce the burden of commuting to employment centers and provide access to more transit stations.
The RAISE program is one of several ways communities can secure funding for projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s competitive grant programs.
For additional information, visit: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Programs
