Congresswoman Bush, Senator Blunt Deliver $33.2 Million in Transportation Funding for St. Louis
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) welcomed the announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation that two projects she had been working to fund would receive more than $33 million in RAISE grant funding.
Thanks to Congresswoman Bush’s tireless advocacy, alongside the partnership of local, state, and federal stakeholders, the West Florissant Avenue Great Streets Project will receive $18.2 million and the Brickline Greenway Project will receive $15 million.
“Saving lives and getting the most for St. Louis is at the center of what we came to Congress to do,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush. “That starts with making our community as safe and accessible as possible. Both the West Florissant Ave and Brickline Greenway projects are much-needed improvements to our area. With this funding, one of the most dangerous stretches of West Florissant Ave will be transformed into a prime commercial space and pedestrian walkway. As for the Brickline Greenway, this funding will help ensure that St. Louis is able to benefit from green spaces for pedestrians and cyclists alike — building vibrant, connected communities. When we talk about building a more equitable St. Louis, we’re talking about projects like these. I’m honored to have helped secure this critical funding. I thank the many community members and local leaders, including Senator Roy Blunt, who partnered to make this happen for St. Louis.”
“Investing in transportation infrastructure is one of the most important things we can do to create a stronger foundation for economic growth and improve the quality of life in local communities,” said U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO). “The West Florissant Avenue Great Streets Project and the Brickline Greenway Project are great examples of how public-private partnerships can be leveraged to support improvements that will have a significant, long-term impact. From making St. Louis a more attractive place to start and grow a business, to connecting people with career and education opportunities and promoting travel and tourism, these investments will go a long way toward making St. Louis an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. I was proud to advocate for these projects along with Congresswoman Bush, and will continue working to secure federal support for critical infrastructure priorities in our state.”
“The Brickline Greenway will help make our city safer and more accessible while helping connect neighborhoods to exciting opportunities like the Cortex Innovation District and the Major League Soccer Stadium,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “I appreciate Congresswoman Cori Bush and Senator Roy Blunt for working across party lines to deliver this important RAISE Grant to help move this project forward.”
“Working together really pays off,” said St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page. “We couldn’t be more grateful to Congresswoman Bush and Senator Blunt for their strong support of this important project.”
“The Brickline Greenway project has been driven by community members to ensure that the greenway is both a great connector and a catalyst toward shared prosperity for everyone,” said Susan Trautman, CEO of Great Rivers Greenway. “A vision this bold will take support and funding from all of us including our local sales tax dollars, private funding and countless partnerships – the RAISE grant award is a huge step in moving this project forward. We are very grateful for the support of Congresswoman Bush, Senator Blunt and all of our federal delegation members who supported this grant award.”
Earlier this year, Congresswoman Bush wrote a letter of support for the Brickline Greenway Project. She toured the Gateway Arch in June 2021, where she discussed the Brickline Greenway project with community stakeholders.
Likewise, in early 2021 Congresswoman Bush wrote a letter of support for the West Florissant Avenue Great Streets Project. Later this July, the Congresswoman spoke at the site of the proposed Great Streets Project, emphasizing the need to correct years of disinvestment in our community that have resulted in challenges of public health, safety, and economic justice.
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