Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Transportation Department says it has approved $1.5 billion to fund 91 infrastructure projects.
The grants will fund road, rail and port projects across the United States. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced the grants on Tuesday.
Chao said the grants were the product of bipartisan cooperation between congressional Republicans and Democrats. Infrastructure is seen as a potential area of agreement between the Trump administration and Democrats, who will take control of the House of Representatives in January.
Boosting infrastructure spending was one of President Donald Trump’s main campaign promises, but he’s made little headway with a plan to invest $1.5 trillion in public and private funds over a decade.
Among the grant recipients are two in Washington state:
Geiger Boulevard Infrastructure Improvements Project, Washington, $14,300,000 — This project includes a range of infrastructure improvements to the existing Geiger Boulevard, including interchange ramp terminal roundabouts, illumination, widening to accommodate center turn lanes, installation of a shared use pathway, and extended shoulders.
Washington State Rural Rail Rehabilitation, Washington, $5,666,982 — the project will make improvements to three branch lines of the Palouse River and Coulee City Shortline Rail System to support 286,000 lbs. rail cars, including replacing or rehabilitating approximately 10 bridges, replacing about 4.6 miles of rail and rehabilitating nearly 16.3 miles of track structure.
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