SHAHEEN ANNOUNCES $5.1 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE HIGHWAY PROJECTS

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced today that New Hampshire has been awarded $5,115,088 in Department of Transportation competitive grants to support an array of highway-related upgrades including resurfacing highways, building safer rest areas, and restoring bridges.

“I am thrilled to hear that these funds have been awarded to New Hampshire to help us renovate our roads, connect residents with their jobs, and put Americans back to work,” Shaheen said. “Whether it is repairing our highways or improving our rest areas, transportation projects create good American jobs and increase the safety for everyone on our roads.”

"Transportation investments like these will create jobs and improve the quality of life for New Hampshire residents as well as strengthen the state's economy," said Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. "The demand from the states for these funds shows just how critical the need is for infrastructure investment."

"The preservation and enhancement of our roadways are critical projects for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation as we seek to use innovative technologies to increase the durability and extend the pavement life of New Hampshire highways,” said Bill Cass, Director of Project Development at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation. “These grants will help extend existing program efforts and fund others that would not otherwise have been possible.”

Auburn and Candia will receive a combined $2 million to fund highway resurfacing efforts along Route 101. These highway renovations will feature sustainable energy technology and will increase the service life of the roadways, increasing safety and decreasing congestion by reducing construction frequency.

The state also won a $1.14 million grant to build a rest stop at the Mount Washington Scenic Overlook on Route 302 in Coos County. The rest area will replace an existing pull-off on the highway shoulder that has been the cause of a number of accidents from drivers stopping to look at Mount Washington.

Additionally, Stark Village will receive $904,000 to renovate the Stark Covered Bridge over the Ammonoosuc River, and a combined $560,000 will be awarded to the towns of Swanzey and Winchester to renovate the Cresson Covered Bridge and the Ashuelot River Covered Bridge, respectively. The town of Albany will receive $250,000 to acquire 293 acres of land adjacent to the White Mountain National Forest and Kancamagus Scenic Byway, and the Nashua Regional Planning Commission will receive $195,000 to study the development of a southbound off ramp on US 3 at Exit 36 in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, designed to boost the regional economy by facilitating the flow of goods and services between Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will also receive $37,400 to support its On-The-Job Training/Supportive Services Program, and $27,878 to create a corridor management plan for the Lakes Region Tour Scenic Byway around Lake Winnipesaukee.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) invited states to apply in June for federal funding from 14 grant programs to be awarded through a competitive process. FHWA received requests from more than 1,800 applications, totaling nearly $13 billion—more than 30 times the funds available. Congress created the discretionary grant programs to give FHWA the latitude to support projects that maintain the nation's roads and bridges, improve roadway safety and make communities more livable.