Iowa Receives $35 Million for Three Infrastructure Projects
Iowa was just granted $35 million in federal infrastructure money for bridge and road improvements across the state. The money will be going to three specific projects: $24.8 million to replace nine bridges across the state, $10 million to rebuild Main Street in Cedar Falls between University Avenue and Sixth Street and $300,000 to evaluate approaches to improving infrastructure connecting downtown Clear Lake to Interstate 35.
According to The Gazette, the $10 million adds to the $5.55 million in pandemic relief funds and Surface Transportation Block Grants the city will dedicate to the project. The whole project is expected to cost $30 million and be completed in the summer of 2025.
Cedar Fall City Administrator Ron Gaines called securing the grant a “tremendous achievement.”
“The entire process is very competitive and there are a lot of deserving projects across the country, so to be a recipient is a huge accomplishment,” he said in a statement. “It is truly a testament to the work of our city staff and their dedication to improving our community. We also appreciate the support of Iowa Sens (Chuck) Grassley and (Joni) Ernst as well as Rep. (Ashley) Hinson, which helped make this possible.”
In Clear Lake, $300,000 was awarded to a planning project to solicit community feedback and conduct a study to evaluate the Fourth Avenue South corridor, which connects the lake to Interstate 35.
The evaluation will examine ways to modernize the infrastructure, including developing trails, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and adding electric vehicle charging stations, according to the DOT.
