U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $5.1 Million in Grants for New Hampshire Highway Projects |
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Topics: Ray LaHood
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Federal Highway Administration
17 August 2011
FHWA 37-11
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Contact: Kelly Hanahan
Tel: 202-366-0660
Funds will help create jobs by resurfacing highways, preserving covered bridges and building rest areas
WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced more than $5.1 million in grants for New Hampshire to fund an array of highway-related efforts ranging from extending the life of the Auburn-Candia project to building a rest stop with parking at the Mount Washington Scenic Overlook.
"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for New Hampshire residents as well as strengthen the state's economy," said Secretary LaHood. "The demand from the states for these funds shows just how critical the need is for infrastructure investment."
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) invited states to apply in June for federal funding from 14 grant programs. Requests poured in from every state, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. - more than 1,800 applications, totaling nearly $13 billion, which is more than 30 times the funds available.
"At a time when states are facing serious budgetary constraints, these grants will help fill a critical need," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "Investments like these are immediate and long-lasting and will help create jobs."
Congress created the discretionary grant programs to give FHWA the latitude to support projects that maintain the nation's roads and bridges, improve roadway safety and make communities more livable. In previous years, Congress designated some of this grant money for specific projects and FHWA awarded the remainder through a competitive process. Because the FY11 budget passed by Congress last April directed that all such funds be discretionary, FHWA awarded these funds through a competitive process.
New Hampshire received funding for the following projects:
| PROJECT | AWARD |
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| Using six innovations on the Auburn-Candia Project to extend the life of the pavement and reduce congestion | $2,000,000 |
| Building a rest stop with parking at the Mount Washington Scenic Overlook in Coos County | $1,140,150 |
| Preserving the Stark Covered Bridge on North Road in Stark Village over the Upper Ammonoosuc River | $904,000 |
| Preserving the Cresson Covered Bridge in Swanzey and the Ashuelot River Covered Bridge in Winchester | $560,000 |
| Helping the Town of Albany acquire more than 293 acres to protect the Mount Washington Valley and the Kancamagus Scenic Byway | $250,000 |
| Conducting a planning study for US 3 Exit 36 Southbound | $195,660 |
| Providing assistance to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation's On-the-Job Training/Supportive Services Program to support employment of women, minorities and disadvantaged people | $37,400 |
| Creating a corridor management plan for the Lakes Region Tour Scenic Byway which circles New Hampshire's largest lake, Lake Winnipesaukee | $27,878 |
| TOTAL | $5,115,088 |
A complete state-by-state list of this year's grant recipients is available online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1137/.