U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced the clearance of 529 infrastructure grants, totaling over $2.9 billion, as part of efforts to address a backlog of more than 3,200 projects from the previous administration. This marks a significant milestone, with more than a third of the backlog now cleared.
Secretary Duffy said, "While cynics in the press hysterically warned of doomsday delays, USDOT has been hard at work to get America building again." He emphasized that the department is focusing on core infrastructure rather than political agendas and is committed to removing red tape to expedite project progress.
The latest grants include several long-awaited projects: $21 million for rail safety improvements near Ann Arbor, Michigan; nearly $12 million for Manatee County Port Authority in Florida; $110 million for a bridge in North Carolina's Outer Banks; and $47 million for the Port of Baltimore.
The Trump Administration had inherited these unobligated grants from its predecessor, which delayed critical investments nationwide. Under Secretary Duffy's leadership, efforts are underway to accelerate fund distribution and prioritize essential infrastructure projects.
In this process, the Department has eliminated requirements related to DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), greenhouse gas emission reporting, and other mandates not required by Congress. According to the Department, removing these requirements will save taxpayers millions and reduce road construction costs that had increased by approximately 70% under the last administration.
The breakdown of approved grants includes various programs such as the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program ($124 million), Federal Highway Administration Bridge Investment Program ($1.5 million), and others across different transportation sectors.
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