Feds send $29M to Georgia for infrastructure projects

(The Center Square) — The federal government is sending Georgia $29.1 million for seven infrastructure projects in cities across the state.

The funding is part of the $1.8 billion in tax money the federal government allocated under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity discretionary grant program. The money is flowing to 148 projects nationwide.

The projects in the tranche of funding announced this week include a new bus transfer facility for Augusta Transit, the planning and design of pedestrian safety improvements in Fairburn and ADA sidewalks and traffic calming measures in LaFayette. Atlanta will receive $16 million for upgrades, including multi-use paths, stormwater and ADA bus stop enhancements, along several streets on Atlanta’s westside, including Johnson Road, West Marietta Street and Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard.

Five of the projects are in locations designated as an “area of persistent poverty or a historically disadvantaged community,” while one is not. The other project is classified as “unsure.”

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which some call the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, included money for the grants.

According to a U.S. Department of Transportation news release, communities submitted grant requests totaling $13 billion, but $1.8 billion was available for allocation. The federal government has awarded RAISE grants to more than 550 projects nationwide, totaling $7.2 billion in tax money.