The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced this week it will award a $35 million federal grant to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for the development of a direct connection between I-80 and I-99 in Centre County.
The funding will be provided under the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects program, now known as the “INFRA” program, which is designed to fund freight, bridge and highway projects of national significance across the country. The competitive grant program was established in 2015 under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
“Moving this important infrastructure project forward will improve the flow of freight throughout the Commonwealth, relieve congestion, and enhance safety at this well-known bottleneck,” U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) said.
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) said the project has been under consideration for more than 10 years, noting that it is a prime example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal government works together.
The direct connection between I-80 and I-99 will replace the current indirect connection along State Route 26. While the project consists of three sections, the INFRA funds will be used for the I-80 Local Access Interchange. The most costly section of the project and the one scheduled to enter construction first, the I-80 Local Access Interchange project will include the construction of a diamond interchange to maintain the existing local connection between SR-26 and I-80 and the replacement of two bridges along the main line of I-80.
“As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I’ve spoken firsthand with the people who live and work in the areas served by these roadways, and know how important this project is to economic development and the safety of residents and visitors,” U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA) said. “This much-needed funding will generate construction jobs and enhance our national freight network, which will help create opportunities for economic growth across Pennsylvania.”
Under the terms of the FAST Act and the INFRA program, Congress has 60 days to review the USDOT grant selections before the department can award the grants.