Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) applauded $50 million in grant funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to upgrade the Interstate 15 (I-15) and Tropicana Avenue Interchange in Las Vegas, Nevada. This funding will be used to reconstruct the existing interchange in order to improve vehicle capacity and add carpool lanes. Senator Cortez Masto sent USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao a letter in support of this project, and spoke with the Secretary personally about the importance of specific infrastructure funding and investments in Nevada.
“Thousands of vehicles pass through the I-15 and Tropicana interchange every day, bringing tourists to the Strip and moving commuters and freight throughout the region. This substantial grant funding will bring much-needed improvements to this interchange, helping to relieve congestion, facilitate travel to more sporting and entertainment events, keep drivers safe, and encourage sustainability through the creation of new carpool lanes. Equally as important, this project will create new construction jobs for Nevadans and boost our local economy as we safely re-open our state. I’ll continue reaching out to the Department of Transportation to advocate for funding to ensure the Silver State’s transportation infrastructure continues to move Nevada forward.”
BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant – awarded under the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects (NSFHP) program – will provide the Nevada Department of Transportation $50 million in grant funding to reconstruct the Interstate 15 (I-15) and Tropicana Avenue Interchange in order to increase vehicle capacity, improve pedestrian safety and add carpool lanes.
The Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program provides federal financial assistance to highway and freight projects of national or regional significance. To maximize the value of FY 2020 INFRA funds for all Americans, the USDOT is focusing the competition on transportation infrastructure projects that improve safety, support economic vitality and deploy innovative technology.
As part of her Innovation State Initiative, Senator Cortez Masto has continued to promote innovative transportation policies to improve the safety, capacity and sustainability of Nevada’s transportation systems, including legislation to support smart communities, encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and enhance workforce training in transportation technology.
###