Mayor Fischer, Congressman Yarmuth celebrate federal funding for transformational transportation projects

Mayor Greg Fischer and Congressman John Yarmuth today celebrated $24 million in transformational federal transportation dollars that Louisville has received in 2022, including two new allocations in the recently passed federal Omnibus bill.

Congress passed the Omnibus bill last week; it included an additional $3 million for Louisville’s Reimagine 9th Street project and $600,000 to widen and improve pedestrian safety along Buechel Bank Road. These funds are in addition to $20.5 million in federal RAISE grants that Louisville Metro Government (LMG) received in August 2022 for Reimagine 9th Street and Broadway All the Way – both projects integral to the revitalization of west Louisville and the continued growth of the city’s downtown and edge neighborhoods.

“These projects are critical to changing the landscape of our city – connecting east to west and Russell to downtown – while contributing to our sustainability goals and building upon the tremendous economic momentum in our city, including an unprecedented $1.5 billion of investment in west Louisville since 2014,”said Mayor Fischer. “Thank you to President Biden and to the U.S. Department of Transportation and its Secretary Pete Buttigieg for these great awards and to Congress for allocating additional funds through the Omnibus bill!”

The Mayor specifically thanked Congressman John Yarmuth, describing him as a strong supporter of Louisville’s efforts to invest in its neighborhoods, recognizing that investing in modernized transportation systems and roadways fosters economic development, furthers sustainability, and makes communities healthier, safer and stronger.

“Throughout my sixteen years in Congress, it has been my honor to fight for Louisvillians and bring home the investments we need to meet our hopes for our community,” said Yarmuth. “From protecting children and our most vulnerable communities, to expanding health care access and improving our roads and sewers, to finally taking on the 9th Street Divide that has harmed far too many Louisvillians, this funding will create new opportunities and make Louisville more vibrant, safe, and accessible for all. I’m delighted that my final vote as a Member of Congress was to deliver this funding.”

More about the projects

The Buechel Bank Road Widening and Pedestrian Improvements Project received $600,000 in the Omnibus bill for utility relocation in advance of roadway work and sidewalk construction. LMG and the state will provide match funding, and the state will provide funding for the project for design and right-of-way acquisition.

LMG also received $3 million through the Omnibus bill for Reimagine 9th Street. Earlier this year, the city as awarded a $15.5 million RAISE implementation grant to fund the design finalization and construction of the Reimagine 9th Street project, along with $5 million RAISE planning grant to fund design work for Broadway All the Way, which will make that project shovel-ready. LMG has committed more than $6.1 million in matching funds to these two projects, which are designed to improve connectivity, mobility, safety and aesthetics, while also boosting economic development and quality of place.

TARC will coordinate with LMG and the state on all three projects as it continues its work to improve ridership for all residents.

“All of us at TARC are excited and eager to partner with Metro Louisville and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to bring these projects to fruition,” said Carrie Butler, executive director of TARC. “The Broadway All the Way, Reimagine Ninth Street, and Buechel Bank Road Widening and Pedestrian Improvements projects will be a huge step forward for the city, for multi-modal transportation, and for a more livable community. I want to thank both Mayor Fischer and Congressman Yarmuth for their role not just in securing these federal monies, but also for their support of TARC over the years and their efforts to make our city even more livable, more connected, and more accessible.”

The $24.6 million Reimagine 9th Street plan will transform 9th Street from a six-lane thoroughfare into a complete street with a large pedestrian area, protected bicycle facilities, dedicated bus lanes, green infrastructure, traffic-calming measures and smart signals. Work to finalize the designs and construction documents for Reimagine 9th Street will begin in 2023, with opportunities for further community engagement. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2025, with additional funding coming from local and state sources.

Broadway All the Way will look at implementing Bus Rapid Transit similar to Dixie Highway, and enhancing pedestrian and bus shelters, as well as bike facilities. With the RAISE grant, the city and a local engineering, landscape architecture and design practice Gresham Smith will continue planning and design work and host public engagement opportunities to gather more feedback. By the end of 2025, they will complete a draft plan for Broadway All the Way and begin applying for funding for the implementation and construction of the plan.

More information about Reimagine Ninth Street and Broadway All the Way at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning-and-sustainabilit….