U.S. Transportation Secretary, Elaine L. Chao, yesterday announced $1.5 billion in discretionary grant funding to 91 projects in 49 states and the District of Columbia.
The grants, 14 of which go to port-related projects, are made through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants program and support road, rail, transit, and port infrastructure projects across the country.
Port-related projects will receive a total of $229.23 million, or about 15.28 percent of the $1.5 billion awarded.
“BUILD transportation grants are major investments in road, rail, transit, and port projects that serve as a down payment on this administration’s commitment to America’s infrastructure, ” said Secretary Chao.
She noted at the BUILD awards ceremony, held at USDOT’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., that the number and dollar amount of port-related awards in this announcement is the greatest since BUILD and its predecessor grants program, TIGER (Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery), was initiated.
Kurt Nagle, president and CEO of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), said that the trade association believes it’s important for America’s seaports to be key components of USDOT’s BUILD discretionary grants program because of the critical role ports play in moving goods, sustaining jobs and bolstering the nation’s economy.
He also noted that direct funding for maritime infrastructure projects, including connections to ports, will improve freight mobility which helps reduce transportation costs and makes U.S. exports more attractive to overseas buyers.
Some of 14 port-related projects approved for 2018 BUILD grants are: