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The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the City of Tucson a $25 million grant to fix a deteriorated bridge too weak to handle heavy traffic, according to KGUN. The sum, alongside funds from the City government and RTA, is large enough to finance a project that's been pending for approximately 17 years. The project will also allow for the Union Pacific rail yards to expand, as well as encourage more business growth.
“A barrier like that becomes unsustainable, you know, 22nd should be able to use your vehicle from one place to another but having to divert using other roads," said Vanessa Gallego, whose recycling business requires heavy trucks. "Is just unsustainable. Just adds a lot more time to our commute.”
“The impact is it keeps a lot of trucks from coming through our neighborhoods,” said Kevin Porter of the Sugar Hills Coalition. “Sometimes the police don't even use that bridge.”
“It really is the dawn of an infrastructure decade," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "So today, we're excited about this RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) program, 166 grants around the country including right here in Tucson, but soon we'll be talking about more funding on everything from airports to railroads.”
The 22nd Street Bridge is currently too weak for school buses to use properly, making it harder for children to arrive at school. Fire trucks and heavy cargo trucks also face similar issues. Renovations are expected to be completed in about three years.