FHWA 77-10
Contact: Kelly Hanahan
Tel: 202-366-0660

Recovery funds help link urban centers, improve livability

WASHINGTON - Construction can officially begin on a multi-county network of urban street trails in Philadelphia and Camden as the result of an agreement between the U. S. Department of Transportation, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the city of Philadelphia for a $23 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced today.

The GREAT-PA/NJ (Generating Recovery by Enhancing Active Transportation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey) project will build 10 urban street trail segments to connect a bicycle and pedestrian network in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.

"Connecting cities gives people access to employment, schools, hospitals and recreation," said Secretary LaHood. "This Recovery Act money will provide transportation options for people in these cities and surrounding areas and create jobs in the process."

The TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant will help increase accessibility between Camden and Philadelphia, provide crucial economic development and beautify and improve the trail. Improvements also include new sidewalks, landscaping, lighting and street bike lanes.

The city of Philadelphia will use $17.2 million to complete seven segments and Camden County will use $5.8 million to complete three segments. When complete, the 10 constructed segments of the GREAT-PA/NJ project will provide better transportation opportunities for more than six million people in the Philadelphia and Camden areas.

"This Recovery Act money makes urban areas like Philadelphia and Camden more livable," said Administrator Mendez. "Residents will be able to walk and bike safely in their own neighborhoods, which will improve their quality of life and allow them to spend more time doing things they enjoy."

The TIGER grant program was included in the Recovery Act to promote innovative, multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional transportation projects that provide significant economic and environmental benefits to an entire metropolitan area, region or the nation.

The Department announced the selection of $1.5 billion worth of TIGER grants for 51 projects as part of the one-year anniversary of the Recovery Act on February 17, 2010.

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