Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood (IL-18) and Rodney Davis (IL-13) today announced that the McLean County Regional Planning Commission has received a $100,00 federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant, formerly known as BUILD and TIGER grants, from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The grant is for the development of a Veterans Parkway Corridor Plan. Davis and LaHood voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (FY 2021 Appropriations Act), which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The FY 2021 Appropriations Act appropriated $1 billion for this grant program.

This planning grant will support the development of a safety improvement plan for Veterans Parkway in McLean County. The project will engage with local community to identify potential safety improvements including ramps with rolling access for the individuals with disabilities, improved signage, land bridges, and curbside management, in addition to enhanced pedestrian, bicycle and transit facilities.

“McLean County is working hard to develop a safer and more efficient Veterans Parkway in Bloomington-Normal," said Rep. LaHood. "This important funding will help identify improvements and engage local community members to enhance the transportation system. In Congress, I will continue to work with Congressman Davis to support McLean County.”

“This is an important step being under taken by the McLean County Regional Planning Commission to develop a safer Veterans Parkway in Bloomington-Normal," said Rep. Davis. "As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to be an advocate for projects that are critical to the communities I serve. Thank you to Secretary Buttigieg and the Administration for recognizing the importance of investing in central Illinois' infrastructure."