WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $18 million in federal funding for infrastructure improvements in Plymouth. Specifically, the grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will allow the City of Plymouth to improve road safety and accessibility around a stretch of Highway 55, strengthening connectivity between Plymouth and the Twin Cities.
“Investments in our infrastructure serve as down payments on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help make the roads safer and more accessible in my hometown of Plymouth, reducing traffic congestion and allowing Minnesotans to more easily get to work, school, and other destinations.”
“Plymouth is one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota, making this project a critical investment in reducing traffic, improving access to public transportation, and prioritizing pedestrian safety,” said Smith, chair of the Transit Subcommittee. “Investing in infrastructure is about more than just fixing roadways and bridges; it’s about improving people’s lives and that’s exactly what this project will do. I’m glad we’re able to be a partner at the federal level to ensure this gets done.”
The resources will help construct a pedestrian and cycling route across Highway 55 in Plymouth, addressing the current safety hazards and accessibility obstacles that cause traffic delays, and enable better access to city parks, local businesses, transit stations, and the Twin Cities.
RAISE grants can be used by communities across the country for a wide variety of projects with significant local or regional impact. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Klobuchar and Smith supported and was signed into law last year, delivered a 50 percent increase in the amount of available funding for the RAISE grants, as well as resources for improving the state’s roads, bridges, public transportation, and water infrastructure.
English