DOT receives $9.8b in FASTLane grant requests

The U.S. Transportation Department has received 212 applications totaling nearly $9.8 billion for its newest freight transportation infrastructure funding program.    The U.S. Transportation Department has received 212 applications totaling nearly $9.8 billion for its newest freight transportation infrastructure funding program.
   The Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program was established in December 2015 as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act to fund critical freight and highway projects across the country.
   DOT noted the number of applicant requests from states and localities was more than 13 times than the funding currently available in FASTLane.
   “We know there is pent up demand for projects that will speed up the delivery of goods and make America even more competitive,” Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Friday. “We’re going to do our best to support high-impact transportation projects that will lay a new foundation for job creation and exporting American made goods throughout the world.”
   Of the 212 applications received, 136 represent projects in urban areas, while the remaining 76 would support rural projects. The deadline for submitting applications was April 14. DOT is currently reviewing all eligible applications.