Cohen Announces $5.6 Million in Redirected Funds for Main Street

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has agreed to a change in Memphis’ recent Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) IV grant that will redirect approximately $5.6 million to improvements in downtown Memphis. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood agreed to this change yesterday while on a call with Congressman Cohen. The $5.6 million in funds being redirected to Main Street are a result of a new design for the Harahan bridge connection in Arkansas that is equally effective and significantly less expensive.

“The $5.6 million in funds being redirected to downtown Memphis will play an important role in revitalizing downtown,” said Congressman Cohen, who has worked for nearly three years to secure TIGER funds for Memphis. “These additional federal funds will enhance livability in downtown Memphis, will increase tourism, will drive economic development and create jobs, and make our city more attractive to young people. I would like to commend Mayor A C Wharton’s team for developing a new cost-effective design and thank Secretary LaHood for his continued work to improve transportation in Memphis.”

The Secretary of Transportation agreed to the proposed scope change which includes money to add lighting and streetscape improvements; to make sidewalks safer and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; to provide drainage upgrades to prevent flooding and standing water on Main Street; and to create additional bike and pedestrian connections with the trolley, bus routes, the train station and landmarks like the Civil Rights Museum.

Congressman Cohen is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and serves on several subcommittees that are important to the economic development of the Ninth District. These include the Subcommittees on Aviation; Highways and Transit; and, Water Resources & Environment.