Last week, 17th District Congresswoman Cheri Bustos urged rural communities across Illinois to make their voices heard on rural transportation. The Congresswoman announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has opened a Request for Information comment period on rural transportation needs and opportunities as part of the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success Initiative or “ROUTES”. Bustos said, “An investment in our networks of roads, bridges, rail lines and airports is a down payment on our region’s long term economic well-being.” In response to the Request for Information, Bustos submitted a package to the DOT detailing programs and investments critical to rebuilding rural transportation infrastructure and urged DOT to direct federal investment to areas with demonstrated need, strengthen programs that target support to rural areas and expand policies that support America’s manufacturers and workers. The Request for Information comment period is open through January 27th. The new ROUTES Initiative addresses these national transportation challenges by assisting rural stakeholders to better understand how to access DOT grants and financing products and developing data-driven approaches to assess the needs and benefits of rural transportation projects. The Request seeks input on concerns with rural infrastructure safety, condition, and usage, as well as stakeholders’ experiences using DOT discretionary grant and finance programs. To learn more about the ROUTES Initiative, visit www.transportation.gov/rural.
