The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced $1 billion in BUILD transportation grants, once again showing a preference for car-centric, rural projects in selecting the winners of this competitive grant process.
In September, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $1 billion in Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants.
The BUILD grant program was known during the Obama administration as the TIGER grant program, but was rebranded and refocused in 2018 under U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao's leadership. While the TIGER program was popular among urban jurisdictions for its focus on urban transit systems, the BUILD program has been a boon for rural jurisdictions.
"The grant funding, announced Sept. 16, will support 70 projects in 44 states," according to reporting on the news by Eleanor Lamb, who also provides details on projects awarded BUILD grants in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Kansas, North Dakota, and Colorado.
Among the projects listed for highway improvements, the project in Georgia will build facilities for safe wildlife crossings, and the project in North Dakota is focused on reducing flooding. The only projects included in the article not devoted to automobile infrastructure are plans for a transit hub in Colorado and a multi-modal bridge to connect to Erie, Pennsylvania's waterfront.
Writing for the National Association of Counties in a separate article, Zach George picked up on the rural focus of the BUILD grant program, noting that Secretary Elaine Chao announced that "50 percent of BUILD funding went to rural projects. Of the 70 awards, 19 went directly to county applicants or county projects."
In a rare instance of urbanism-focused coverage of the recent round of BUILD grant funding, Christian MilNeil reeveals the winner and loser of BUILD grant funding in the state of Massachusetts. "The Trump administration turned down a request for federal funding for a planned bus rapid transit corridor on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester and Mattapan, and opted to award funding to a $300 million highway interchange in Hopkinton instead," according to that article.
The U.S. Department of Transportation a full list of the 2020 BUILD grant awards and a press release from Secretary Chao.
See also previous Planetizen coverage of BUILD grants.
FULL STORY: DOT Announces $1 Billion in BUILD Grants
$544 Million in Transit Capital Investment Funding Announced
The latest round of funding for the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant funding program was announced this week.
Elaine Chao Resigns as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation
The fallout from this week's attack on the U.S. Capitol Building includes numerous resignations of top Trump administration officials, including Elaine Chao, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
How RAISE Grants Promote Car-Free Mobility
While there are many reasons to break away from automobile dominance, the RAISE grant program is the only federal effort fully reflecting a public transit and active transportation priorities.
Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Four Reasons Urban Planners Can’t Ignore AI
It’s no longer a question of whether AI will shape planning, but how. That how is up to us.
Bend, Deschutes County Move to Restrict Major Homeless Encampment
City and county officials are closing off portions of an area known as Juniper Ridge where many unhoused residents find shelter, hoping to direct people to housing and supportive services.
High Housing Costs Driving Down Transit Ridership in LA
When neighborhoods gentrify and displace lower-income residents, transit ridership suffers, new research shows.
Iowa Legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units
A new law will allow property owners to build ADUs on single-family lots starting on July 1.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada