Kelly and Sinema Seek Answers from U.S. Transportation Department About Decision Not to Award Arizona’s I-10 Grant

Arizona applied for $360 million to widen the last remaining stretch of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson

Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema are seeking answers from the U.S. Department of Transportation on its decision not to award Arizona’s application for the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) grant program. Arizona applied for $360 million to widen the last remaining stretch of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson. 

“Given the significant impacts of this heavily trafficked corridor for interstate and international trade and commerce, and the opportunities to improve highway safety, we are disappointed that the U.S. Department of Transportation did not award a Mega grant for the project. We request a meeting with DOT to understand what led to an unsuccessful grant application, and ask that you direct us to other appropriate funding opportunities the U.S. Department of Transportation has so we can work with our state partners to ensure completion of this project critical to local residents, neighboring states, and international commerce,” wrote the senators. 

The senators also stressed their commitment to work with their state partners to ensure completion of this project that is so critical to residents, neighboring states, and international commerce. 
 
The U.S. Department of Transportation did not award a $360 million Mega grant to the Arizona Department of Transportation to widen the 26 miles of I-10 (Wild Horse Pass Corridor) on the Gila River Indian Community, which are only two lanes in each direction; the remaining stretches of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson are at least three lanes each way. The Gila River Indian Community also supports this project, which would save lives and improve transportation safety. The State of Arizona has already committed over $500 million for the project and the Maricopa Association of Governments could contribute an additional $220 million. 

Kelly has been outspoken about how fast-growing regions of the country, like Arizona, have different transportation infrastructure needs than other regions. As a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), which oversees all federal highway programs, Kelly has raised these issues and underscored that as the Infrastructure Law is implemented, Arizona will need federal funding to help expand transportation infrastructure to match recent population growth. Last year, Kelly, who spearheaded the creation of the MEGA Grant program to support state and local governments, raised this growing need with Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and with Secretary Buttigieg directly.  

Click HERE to read the letter.