RTATION and bus fleet modernization to bridge construction to more pedestrian and bike lane planning. “This is a big deal,” stated U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.). “These investments in projects across Washington state will help move people and freight better. That’s important for our local economies, for quality of life, and for helping community connectivity. Having the federal government provide this grant funding means we will see improvements without the cost being borne entirely by taxpayers in our neck of the woods.” The Biden administration opened applications for this round of RAISE grants in December 2023. The program aided more than 160 projects in all 50 states in 2023. roadway and a multi-use trail. In Montana, the Blackfeet Reservation will receive $3.6 million for the planning and design of a street reconstruction project to increase access and decrease dependency on motor vehicles. The percentage of high-function rural roads considered to be in “poor” condition was over 5 in 2020, up from just under 5% in 2011, according to the Bureau of Transpiration Statistics’ 2023 report. For high-function urban roads in the U.S., 19.8% were considered “poor” in 2020, down from 21.4% in 2011. The percentage of the country’s bridges considered to be in “poor condition” fell from 59,305 (around 10%) in 2010 to 42,966 (6.9%) in 2022. Washington received more funding than any other state with nearly $90 million in grants awarded for projects ranging from a transit maintenance facility 16 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 07
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