Iowa Governor Culver Announces New Funding for Transportation Projects

15 communities receive grants for road, trail projects from I-JOBS, State Recreational Trails Program

October 13, 2009 -- AMES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced today that the Iowa Transportation Commission has approved more than $2.5 million in grants for road improvement projects, a direct result of the Culver/Judge Administration’s I-JOBS initiative. In addition, the commission granted nearly $4.5 million for trail projects across the state through the State Recreational Trails Program.

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“These transportation projects are a part of our state’s work to recover from this nationwide recession,” Governor Culver said. “The I-JOBS transportation funds approved today, along with the State Recreational Trails grants, are supporting infrastructure needs in several communities across Iowa while investing in our state and local economies.”

RISE Road Improvement Grants

Five road improvement projects have been approved to receive Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE) Local Development grants. Funds for the RISE awards come from the $10 million of unobligated RISE funding identified in Governor Culver’s I-JOBS initiative as funding available for projects to promote economic development in the state. Funding for each grant comes from the city’s or county’s share of the RISE fund. Below are projects receiving RISE grants:

* SIOUX CITY: Up to $507,585 will be made available to assist in the reconstruction of approximately 996 feet of Cunningham Drive from Washington Avenue south to Jay Avenue. The completed improvement will provide access to four lots totaling more than 14 acres for industrial development.
* MOUNT PLEASANT: Up to $226,681 will be made available to assist in the construction of approximately 620 feet of Commerce Drive and 814 feet of Progress Street in the Crossroads Industrial Park. The completed improvement will provide initial access to approximately 70 additional acres for industrial and warehousing development.
* URBANA: Up to $440,542 will be made available to assist in the construction of approximately 1,550 feet of local road east of Iowa 150 and turn lanes on Iowa 150 to provide access to a new industrial park. The completed improvements will provide access to 10 lots totaling almost 69 acres for industrial development.
* LE MARS: Up to $204,507 will be made available to assist in the construction of approximately 1,140 feet of Blue Diamond Drive from Hawkeye Avenue (Business 75) toward Holton Drive in an industrial park. The completed improvement will provide access to eight lots totaling more than 17 acres for industrial development.
* POLK COUNTY: Up to $1,196,197 will be made available to assist in the construction of approximately 4,746 feet of Northeast 49th Avenue north and east to the end of the cul-de-sac to provide initial access in the Tonini Farm subdivision. The completed improvement will provide access to 17 lots totaling more than 63 acres for industrial, manufacturing and warehouse development.

State Recreational Trails Program Grants

The Iowa Transportation Commission also approved funding for 13 recreational trails across Iowa as part of the State Recreational Trails Program. The State Recreational Trails Program was created in 1988 to establish recreational trails in Iowa for public use. This funding is available to cities, counties, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations through an annual application-based program.

The grantees, trail projects and funding totals are listed below:

* ALLAMAKEE COUNTY AND ALLAMAKEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: $750,000 for the Allamakee County Mississippi River bike trail
* BLACK HAWK COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD: $250,000 for the Cedar Valley Nature Trail bridge at McFarlane Park
* CITY OF DES MOINES: $73,474 for the Des Moines River Regional Trail, Phase 1
* CITY OF DES MOINES: $750,000 for the Principal Riverwalk Recreational Trail (per direct legislative appropriation)
* IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES: $262,500 to fund the Iowa DNR AmeriCorps trail crew
* CITY OF IOWA CITY: $281,000 for the Iowa River Corridor Trail connection – Sand Lake
* CITY OF SIOUX CITY AND IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: $128,000 for the Lewis and Clark Historic Riverfront Trail
* LINN COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD: $500,000 for the Pinicon Ridge Trail (per direct legislative appropriation)
* DALLAS COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD: $484,995 for the Raccoon River Valley Trail addition – Herndon to Waukee
* DICKINSON COUNTY TRAILS BOARD: $525,000 for railbanking purchase of IANW Railroad
* WARREN COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD: $107,271 for Summerset Trail flood repairs
* CITY OF DECORAH AND WINNESHIEK COUNTY CONSERVATION BOARD: $300,000 for Trout Run Trail – box culverts and bridge project
* NORTHEAST IOWA RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT INC. AND IOWA DNR’S FISHERIES: $75,000 for Trout Run Trail – Decorah Fish Hatchery’s interpretive center restroom facility

Source: Iowa Governor