Big Sky Times

FUNDING COMES FROM RAISE GRANTS SECURED THROUGH THE SENATOR’S BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT (IIJA)

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured $24.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to make infrastructure upgrades that will support economic development and improve access to downtown Missoula. The funding will come from the RAISE Grant program which Tester fought for in his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Tester was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to support this bill and was one of the lead bipartisan negotiators who crafted the package.

“By investing in local infrastructure we are supporting Montana communities and improving our economy,” said Tester. “That’s why I worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass my bipartisan infrastructure law that will create good-paying jobs and invest in Montana’s roads, bridges, high-speed internet, water systems, and more. Missoulians crafted this proposal and now have a great opportunity to improve their downtown by bringing local businesses and other stakeholders together to finish the job.”

Tester has led the charge to secure funding for infrastructure projects that will allow Missoula to adapt its downtown area to fit the changing needs of the community. This funding will address safety and connectivity issues in the downtown area. On the Higgins Avenue corridor, a four- to three-lane conversion will separate bicyclists and motor vehicles, and create dedicated left-turn lanes. Front and Main Streets will be changed to two-way streets to address safety and circulation issues in the downtown area. This project will fund riverfront trail access from Front and Main and widen the trail. Additionally, an ADA ramp will increase accessibility from the Higgins Bridge to Caras Park.

You can find Tester’s letters of support for this project HERE.

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate the IIJA with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families.

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the legislation, including $2.82 billion for Montana’s roads, highways, and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $1 billion to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation; $65 billion to deploy broadband to areas across the country that lack internet access and additionally make online connectivity affordable; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. A full list of Montana provisions in Tester’s bipartisan infrastructure law can be found HERE.

Original source can be found here.