Tucson Standard

WASHINGTON – On June 3, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07) announced $20,000,000 in federal funding for Pima County awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The DOT funding is part of the FY23 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grants. Projects for RAISE funding are evaluated based on safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, innovation, and partnership.

This federal funding will allow Pima County to improve West Valencia Road in Tucson, Arizona. This road stretches 11 miles, connecting interstates 10 and 19 and central Tucson to major education, employment, and population centers. Currently, West Valencia Road has inadequate sidewalks, minimal bicycle facilities, and few transit services which limit transportation along this popular road. The federal funds are intended to be used to add additional travel lanes, sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit enhancements.

“This RAISE grant will provide Pima County with the funds necessary to make vital road improvements on a highly trafficked street used daily by many Arizonans,” said Rep. Grijalva. “The updates and upgrades that this project will bring will help to not only reduce traffic congestion, but also provide safer and more convenient alternative forms of transportation. I am proud to support this project that will improve our community’s future.”

The Pima County’s infrastructure project improvements will make the streets safer for both pedestrians and drivers while also providing the community with better access to schools, jobs, and services. The project will also make transport to tribal lands, such as the Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O’odham Nations, more attainable.

In February 2023, Rep. Grijalva joined Arizona Members of Congress in a written letter of support to USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg for the project.

More information on RAISE grants is available here.

Original source can be found here.