The federal government is awarding the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission a $1.2 million grant to plan and design bicycle and pedestrian improvements in Haverhill, Methuen, Lawrence, Merrimac and Amesbury.
The amount, according to Sen. Edward J. Markey, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, will provide “safe and comfortable active transportation options, especially in high-crash areas.” Sens. Markey and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland released a statement Tuesday celebrating grants under the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“We applaud the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement of grant recipients under the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program. These grants represent an important step forward in our efforts to build safer, healthier and more sustainable communities. By supporting transformative projects across the country, these grants will enhance pedestrian and bike-friendly infrastructure, connect communities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In February 2021, Democrats Markey and Van Hollen and Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska introduced the Connecting America’s Active Transportation System Act. It allocates $500 million a year to states and communities to connect walking and biking infrastructure into active transportation networks.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congress passed in November 2021, included a version of their legislation and created the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program.