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Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dale E. Kildee announced today that the City of Saginaw would receive $3.5 million in federal funding under H.R. 3550, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU). Kildee originally requested these funds from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to help revitalize downtown Saginaw by providing residents and visitors with immediate access to essential services and facilities in the downtown area. Kildee’s funding requests were included in TEA-LU, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier today.
“I am delighted that I was able to secure $3.5 million in federal funding for the new I-675 Interchange and the Washington Avenue Streetscape project in Saginaw,” said Kildee. “The I-675 Interchange will finally become a reality because the project has now been authorized and awarded $2 million in federal funding under TEA-LU. The authorization of the I-675 interchange is an essential step towards securing future federal funding through the congressional appropriations process.”
Veronica Horn, Executive Vice President of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce worked closely with Congressman Kildee on all of Saginaw’s TEA-LU Projects. Horn said, “The Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce and its President Bob VanDeventer are very grateful to Congressman Kildee for his leadership and dedication to Saginaw. Congressman Kildee has been eager to work with all of Saginaw County to help revitalize and enhance downtown Saginaw. Without Congressman Kildee’s leadership and assistance, the I-675 Interchange may have never become a reality.”
The Michigan Department of Transportation will use $2 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. Phase II will include upgrading and relocating the Washington Ave. railroad crossing to create space for the renovation and construction of new facilities at St. Mary’s Hospital. The first phase of this project was authorized by the previous six-year federal highway and transit bill, TEA-21. |
