Press Release: Federal Grant Freeze Impacts Infrastructure Projects in Montana
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent decision to freeze millions in federal grant funding has left numerous infrastructure projects, including those in Powell County, Montana, in uncertainty. The county was slated to receive over $6.3 million for its Parks to Passes project, aimed at connecting a vital 230-mile pedestrian and biking corridor between Butte and the Idaho border as part of the Great American Rail-Trail route.
Kevin Mills, Vice President of Policy for the Rails to Trails Conservancy, emphasized the economic implications of this freeze, estimating a potential loss of $16 million in development for Montana. The halted grant is part of President Biden’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure program, which Secretary Sean Duffy has stated is delayed due to "leftist social requirements," such as climate change and social justice considerations.
This freeze could further jeopardize safety, as Mills noted the alarming statistics of 9,000 pedestrian and cyclist fatalities annually on U.S. roads. With $200 million in grants frozen across Montana, including $10 million earmarked for trail projects, advocates are urging that these necessary funds be released to prevent stalling crucial infrastructure improvements. The community’s hope for safer, connected spaces for walking and biking relies heavily on this federal support.
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