PUEBLO ~ Pueblo, Colorado - A major federal investment of $13,713,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration has been celebrated by Governor Jared Polis, Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham, and the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) today. The investment will go towards replacing the Union Avenue Bridge in Pueblo, a nearly 100-year-old bridge that serves as a crucial connection between downtown Pueblo and South Pueblo.

The funding for this project comes from the Biden Administration's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which aims to improve infrastructure across the country. Governor Polis expressed his excitement about the project, stating that "this new-and-improved bridge delivers for Pueblo's future, improves safety, and makes it easier for people and products to get where they need to go." He also acknowledged the hard work of local partners and leaders in securing this funding.

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Mayor Heather Graham also expressed her gratitude for the support from Governor Polis and DOLA. She stated that "to have federal and state level investment in Pueblo acknowledges the importance of this critical infrastructure improvement for our community." The Union Ave. Bridge serves as a link from downtown Pueblo to the southside, in a historic district in our community."

In addition to the federal investment, the Polis administration has committed $1,750,000 in matching funds to help the City of Pueblo take full advantage of this opportunity. The new bridge will not only improve safety and reliability but also include new pedestrian and bicycle facilities. It will also be designed to support future intercity passenger rail.

Maria De Cambra, DOLA's Executive Director, highlighted how this investment is an example of how DOLA can work with federal partners to support local communities. She stated that "we know that match funding for federal grant applications can be a significant obstacle for smaller jurisdictions."

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Shoshana Lew, Executive Director of CDOT, also expressed her support for the project. She stated that "investing in our existing infrastructure is key to improving safety and meeting the needs of our growing communities." She also emphasized the importance of promoting multimodal mobility and economic growth.

The funding for the bridge comes from the Bridge Investment Program established by IIJA, which provides $40 billion over five years to address bridge projects across the country. Under the Polis Administration, the Office of the Governor and DOLA created the IIJA Local Match grant program (LOMA) to help Colorado Counties, Municipalities, Special Districts, and federally recognized Tribes meet matching fund requirements for federal IIJA programs. So far, 11 communities, including Pueblo, have been awarded a total of $4,194,720 through this program.

The replacement of the Union Avenue Bridge in Pueblo is a significant step towards improving transportation infrastructure in Colorado. It will not only benefit commuters and local businesses but also promote safety and support future growth in the area. With continued investments like this one, Colorado can look forward to a more connected and prosperous future.

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