Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee announced today that the City of Saginaw would receive $3.8 million in federal funding under H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU).  Kildee’s funding requests for the I-675 Interchange and the Washington Ave. Streetscape projects were included the TEA-LU bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier today.  Last Congress, Kildee secured $3.5 million for the City of Saginaw, but the bill was not signed into law.

“I am delighted that was able to secure $2.3 million for the I-675 ramp, which is a $300,000 increase over the bill from last Congress,” said Kildee.  “This funding marks a crucial first step towards making the I-675 Interchange a reality.  The authorization of the I-675 Interchange project will enable us to secure future federal funding through the congressional appropriations process.”

The City of Saginaw will use $2.3 million to fund the first phase of construction for the new I-675/Washington Ave. Interchange.  Phase I will cover the planning and engineering costs associated with the construction of the interchange.  This new authorization will allow the project to be eligible to receive future funding for additional phases through the federal appropriations process. 

The City of Saginaw will use $1.5 million to fund Phase II of the Washington Ave. Streetscape Project.  Under Phase II, the funding could be used to upgrade and relocate the Washington Ave. railroad crossing to create space for the renovation and construction of new facilities at St. Mary’s Hospital.  Phase I of this project was authorized by the previous six-year federal highway and transit bill, TEA-21.

The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU) is the latest reauthorization of the six-year federal highway and transit bill, which provides billions of dollars in federal funding for our nation’s highways and transit systems.  Funding for the reauthorization of this bill is provided by the revenue currently available in the Highway Trust Fund.  The goal of TEA-LU is to help alleviate congestion, increase traffic safety and improve the quality and accessibility of our nation’s highways and transit systems.