After Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg last week visited Tucson and Phoenix to tout the Biden administration’s infrastructure bill, those cities have announced that they will receive tens of millions from the federal government for projects.
“The Federal Transit Administration has awarded the City of Phoenix Public Transit Department a $16.3 million grant for greener (low and no emissions) buses and supporting infrastructure,” according to the city of Phoenix. “The grant is made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the Low-No Emission and Buses and Bus Facilities highly-competitive grant programs. The programs’ goal is to support the transition of the nation’s fleet to more energy efficient and cleaner transit vehicles.”
“Phoenix is a leader in fighting climate change, and we are on our way to becoming the world’s most sustainable desert city. This grant is adding to that success, increasing our ability to purchase clean vehicles and invest in needed infrastructure,” Mayor Kate Gallego (D) said. “A big thank you to Congressmen Greg Stanton and Ruben Gallego for their leadership and partnership in securing these funds.”
Tucson will receive $25 million to build a bridge.
“Today I welcomed [Buttigieg] and [Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ)] to announce a $25M transformative investment in #Tucson‘s infrastructure. The re-envisioned 22nd Street Bridge will reconnect our communities and create safer ways for residents to drive, walk, bike, and move about,” Mayor Regina Romero said.
This project represents an opportunity to invest in neighborhoods where infrastructure has created safety risks and separation.
I want to thank @SecretaryPete Buttigieg and the #BidenHarris Administration for investing to modernize our roads and critical infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/lAlEVZ05Km
— Regina Romero (@TucsonRomero) August 11, 2022
“This project represents an opportunity to invest in neighborhoods where infrastructure has created safety risks and separation,” she added, thanking the Biden administration.
Overall, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is receiving $200 million per year – $5.3 billion over five years.
“We welcome additional funding opportunities and the certainty provided by this legislation over the next five years,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said in January. “Federal funding for transportation is highly complex. We are committed to making this process transparent as part of managing the public’s expectations, and will work with our federal partners and other transportation stakeholders to maximize the impact. We will continue to be aggressive and innovative to ensure Arizona takes advantage of every funding source.”
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Arizona Sun and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Regina Romero” by Regina Romero.
