Casa Grande Dispatch
Arizona’s congressional delegation has written letters to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx urging his agency to approve grants that would fund an Interstate 10 interchange at Kortsen Road and improvements to the railroad crossing on Arizona 347 in Maricopa.
The two Pinal County projects are among 10 the delegation is seeking funding for in the seventh round of TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grants that will be awarded later this year. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis to projects that have a significant impact on a particular region, metro area or the nation. The USDOT recently announced it expects to receive at least 800 applications this year, with roughly $500 million budgeted.
“Each of these projects is important for its community, whether to improve road safety, strengthen the economy or expand residents’ access to schools and services,” Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., said. “TIGER grants help Arizona’s counties, towns and tribes move forward on much-needed transportation projects.”
In her letter to Foxx, Kirkpatrick said the interchange at Kortsen is needed to serve the growing Casa Grande area, in particular the proposed PhoenixMart trade center to be located just east of Interstate 10.
