Alton Receives Federal Grant for Pedestrian Safety and Energy Efficiency

The city of Alton, Illinois, has secured a federal grant amounting to $215,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to enhance pedestrian safety in the area. U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, announced the grant on Friday, emphasizing its significance in fostering a safer and more connected community.

«Safer streets mean a more connected community. I’m excited to see this project come to fruition,» Budzinski stated. The grant will be utilized by Alton’s traffic planners to implement safety measures such as lowering vehicle speeds, reducing pedestrian crossing distances, improving visibility, and making turns safer.

Part of the program includes plans to reduce the number of travel lanes on Piasa Street from four to three, incorporating a safety buffer on both sides to enhance pedestrian safety.

Additionally, Budzinski announced other federal funding initiatives aimed at supporting businesses within the Metro East region. Nearly $950,000 from the federal Rural Energy for America Program has been allocated to various businesses. In the St. Louis metropolitan area, Wood River Storage is set to receive approximately $180,000, while the Spencer T. Olin Golf Course in Alton will benefit from $51,000.

This recent grant follows a previous allocation in February, where Budzinski secured around $1.8 million for 10 small businesses in Madison and Macoupin counties. These funds are specifically targeted at supporting energy efficiency upgrades, with a focus on transitioning to solar power solutions.

Nikki Budzinski serves on the U.S. House Agricultural Committee, and the energy program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her recent efforts demonstrate a continued commitment to improving infrastructure and energy efficiency in her constituency.