Invest in Cook grant program awards almost $9 million

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Chicago Construction News staff writer

Funding has been awarded to 43 projects under the 2022 ‘Invest in Cook’ grant program.

Projects span 39 municipalities and three townships, including two transit, 16 pedestrian, 11 bicycle, one freight and 13 road projects.

This is the sixth year Invest in Cook grant funding has been awarded for transportation-related projects – a total of $48.7 million has been granted to 205 projects throughout Cook County since its inception in 2017.

A list of 2022’s projects is available here.

“Making equitable investments to ensure that each community has a robust transportation infrastructure is essential to creating a more vibrant Cook County,” said county board president Toni Preckwinkle.

“Over half of projects receiving funding this year are in traditionally underserved areas. When we lift these communities up by making commuting easier and more accessible, we’re improving the quality of life for not only these residents but for all County residents.”

The county’s injection of $8.9 million leverages additional local, state and federal funds, for $27 million in transportation infrastructure engineering and construction to advance.

To promote diversity in transportation modes, projects were evaluated and ranked by type. This year, 55% of grant funding is directed towards projects in low and moderate-income communities.

Invest in Cook grants help municipalities further their transportation projects by providing the gap funding required to advance investing in the planning, engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction associated with transportation improvements sponsored by local governments and private partners. Funding early project phases is crucial to unlock follow-on grant funding opportunities.

DoTH evaluated the 79 grant applications submitted by local governments and transit agencies based on priorities detailed in Connecting Cook County:

  • Prioritize transit and other transportation alternatives
  • Support the region’s role as North America’s freight capital
  • Promote equal access to opportunities
  • Maintain and modernize what already exists
  • Increase investments in transportation

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