Additional funding follows recent flooding that closed the critical route
The Members secured $142.34 million for the highly congested thoroughfare in December 2023
100,000 daily travelers on the two arteries will see upgrades including bridge rehab, flood mitigation, traffic congestion reduction
New floodwall will finally drain “the Bathtub” in downtown Pittsburgh
The Members have delivered billions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for road and bridge improvements
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representatives Summer Lee (D-PA-12) and Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) announced that they secured $6,669,000 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to support the “Protect the Parkway” Floodwall Improvements Project making major safety improvements to I-376 (the Parkway East), including the flood-prone “Bathtub” in downtown Pittsburgh. The grant follows a $142.34 million award, delivered by the Members in December 2023, to support safety improvements.
“When the Bathtub floods, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County residents, commuters, and travelers lose a critical artery,” said Senator Casey. “The consequences are deep and far-reaching, especially for many in marginalized communities. With severe weather on the rise, we’re delivering more funding to drain the Bathtub and protect Southwestern Pennsylvanians’ livelihoods and safety.”
"I commend Secretary Buttigieg for taking action to address the persistent closures and safety hazards caused by the 'bathtub' and other flood-prone parts of the parkway. As a Pennsylvania commuter myself, I know firsthand the frustration and concern these closures bring. It's a huge relief to see the Department of Transportation making it a priority to strengthen our highways in the face of climate challenges," said Senator Fetterman.
“It’s so good to see Secretary Buttigieg taking swift action to help channel critical resources into Pittsburgh, especially with the pressing need to address our city’s vulnerability to flooding. This new $6.6 million funding for the Parkway East Floodwall is a game-changer. It directly targets the notorious 'Bathtub' area, providing a much-needed solution to a long-standing problem that affects countless residents, commuters, and businesses,” said Congresswoman Lee. “This initiative not only secures the safety and efficiency of one of our key transport routes but also stands as a testament to our commitment to enhancing community resilience against climate impacts, creating jobs, and promoting economic growth. It's a proud moment for us all, showcasing our dedication to ensuring that every community, especially those historically overlooked, benefits from our collective progress and protection against future adversities”
“I am thrilled to see this important investment come home to help fight dangerous and disruptive flooding in our region. This $6.6 million dollar grant to deal with the dreaded ‘bathtub’ will improve travel across Western Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Deluzio. “The President’s Infrastructure Law is making a real, tangible difference in folks’ lives, and I’m glad to join my colleagues in announcing this critical investment in our regional transportation system.”
A 2019 study rated the parkway as the fifth most congested road in the United States. In December 2023, the Members secured $142.34 million for a multimodal project that will make significant progress to ameliorate that congestion and the corridor’s safety hazards, including to prevent flooding. This new funding will provide further support for that larger project’s upgrades, which include rehabilitating 10 bridges, installing a new floodwall along the downtown section of the parkway so flood-prone it is known as “the Bathtub,” implementing technologies to ease traffic from Monroeville to downtown, and stabilizing hilly terrain to prevent landslides. In addition to traffic, flooding, bridges, and potentially unstable terrain, the $149 million in federal funding will improve bus infrastructure, shoulder and sidewalk safety, and key stretches of South Braddock Avenue and Route 30/Lincoln Highway/Ardmore Boulevard.
The award is from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT)?Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant program, established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Since IIJA passed in 2021, Casey, Fetterman, Lee, and Deluzio have delivered more than $14.2 billion in federal funds from the law to Pennsylvania. That includes more than $8 billion in funding for over 600 road and bridge projects and more than $1 billion for high-speed internet.
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