WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded over $8 million in federal funding for infrastructure improvements in Duluth. Specifically, the grant, provided through USDOT’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, will support the City of Duluth’s Coastal Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project, which is aimed at repairing critical infrastructure along Lake Superior shoreline and reinvigorating the regional economy. 

“Investments in our infrastructure serve as down payments on the long-term economic well-being of our state,” said Klobuchar. “This federal funding will help upgrade infrastructure along the shoreline and protect Duluth’s roadways, water infrastructure, and commercial rail lines from storms and flooding.” 

“Infrastructure is the backbone of a strong, resilient economy, connecting Minnesotans to their jobs, schools, grocery stores and countless other opportunities,” said Smith. “This funding will help connect the Lakewalk and the Hillside neighborhood and boost the local economy. It’s great to see these investments making an impact for Minnesotans.”

The resources will rehabilitate a separated multimodal trail, increase connections to that trail, and complete revetment of the coastal barrier that protects the community.

RAISE grants can be used by communities across the country for a wide variety of projects with significant local or regional impact. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Klobuchar and Smith supported and was signed into law in 2021, delivered a 50 percent increase in the amount of available funding for the RAISE grants, as well as resources for improving the state’s roads, bridges, public transportation, and water infrastructure. 

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