By Charles Pekow — Several western communities received FY 25 funding from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program from the US Department of Transportation. The program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to connect communities, especially disadvantaged ones that lack adequate transportation infrastructure. Funding goes for activities such as planning, engineering and environmental assessments, but not actual construction. Grants include:
- $1.6 million to Commerce City CO for a planning grant for the East 60th Avenue Multimodal Connections Study – Brighton Boulevard to Vasquez Boulevard. Overall estimated cost of the project: $2 million. The Adams Heights neighborhood lacks bike lanes to connect to schools, groceries stores and the local recreation center that this project intends to fix.
- $1.44 million for the Phoenix Grand Canalscape-Phase IV Reconnecting Communities Across I-17, US 60 and BNSF Railroad Community Planning Grant in Phoenix AZ. The goal involves adding a bike route along the Grand Canal. Estimated project cost: $1.8 million.
- $2 million to Gallup NM for the 2nd and 3rd Street Crossings Community Planning Project. Presently, cyclists and pedestrians must use dangerous at-grade crossings to get over the BNSF railroad tracks. The study will examine safer ways for them to cross. Projected cost $2.5 million.
See the list of grantees at https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2025-01/RCP%20FY24%20Award%20Factsheet.pdf
Editor’s Update (April 10, 2025):
Trump administration’s policy shifts have significantly impacted the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Grant Program. While the third and final round of RCP grants was awarded in January 2025, totaling $544.6 million for 81 projects across 31 states, these allocations occurred just before the administration began reevaluating federal grant programs.
The administration’s broader initiative to reduce federal government size and spending has led to the termination or reduction of various programs, particularly those emphasizing environmental justice, equity, and community development. For instance, the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, designed to help communities prepare for natural disasters, was terminated (https://apnews.com/article/fema-grants-cuts-trump-emergency-management-disaster-bc36ea4ca328e1eb4a07641ba1fb770e). Similarly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rescinded grants aimed at assisting rural and tribal communities with infrastructure projects, citing a shift in funding priorities. (https://www.cpr.org/2025/04/09/trump-ends-funding-epa-maptcc-rural-tribal-communities/)
Given these actions, there is a heightened risk that RCP-funded projects, especially those not yet in advanced stages, could face delays, funding freezes, or cancellations.
