USDOT awards $13.5 million TIGER grant for Indiana’s Eisenhower Bridge

Photo credit: oldskulphoto/FlickrPhoto credit: oldskulphoto/Flickr

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $13.5 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant to Indiana’s Madison County and city of Anderson to replace the Eisenhower Bridge.

Officials say the structure is the “eastern gateway” to the downtown section of Anderson and is a “critical component” of Madison County’s economic infrastructure.

It was built in 1969 and the total replacement cost is estimated to be at least $18 million. The city and county has reportedly tried multiple times to receive federal funding for the project.

“This is excellent news for Madison County and the city of Anderson, and the bridge replacement project will address one of their most pressing transportation infrastructure needs,” says Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana), who lobbied for the project in communications with Transportation Sec. Anthony Foxx. “The bridge replacement will help spur economic growth and help thousands of commuters who rely on the bridge for a safe commute to and from work every day. I have long supported the Eisenhower Bridge replacement project, because it will help revitalize the economy, and is a critical transportation link for Hoosiers traveling to jobs and job training, and accessing essential services.”

“This project would not have received TIGER Grant funding without the years of help from Sen. Donnelly,” says Madison County Engineer Charles Leser.  “Sen. Donnelly has met with officials from Madison County and the city of Anderson several times over the years both in Madison County and in Washington, D.C., to discuss this project and to talk to the Department of Transportation on our behalf.  This is a very competitive grant and Madison County would not have received this money to replace the bridge without Senator Donnelly’s help.”