Toledo Reporter

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur announced today a $28 million grant award for the City of Toledo’s Riverfront Infrastructure Vitality and Equity Restoration in East Toledo (RIVER East Toledo) project. The Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant program, funded through a one-time investment from the Inflation Reduction Act, will fully fund the project at 100% with no match requirement.

The funding will support major improvements to the Front Street and Main Street corridors, better connecting East Toledo to the downtown riverfront and Glass City Metropark.

Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz expressed his gratitude for the federal government's continued support, stating, "Today's announcement continues the unprecedented investment of federal dollars into Toledo and demonstrates the federal government's commitment to supporting cities like ours in their efforts to evolve and thrive. Over the last two years, USDOT has granted a total of $48 million to Toledo, empowering us to make significant strides towards improving the overall quality of life in our neighborhoods."

"This investment from the Inflation Reduction Act is particularly exciting as it will fully fund this project, allowing us to leverage Metroparks Toledo's investments along the riverfront at no cost to Toledoans," Mayor Kapszukiewicz continued. "By connecting neighborhoods, enhancing safety, and creating a family-friendly, walkable destination in the Garfield neighborhood of East Toledo, we are reshaping Front Street into a gateway to riverfront revitalization.”

"All levels of government are working together, along with neighborhoods and businesses, to create the best riverfront in the nation. Glass City Riverwalk is only a quarter completed, yet the momentum it has created is already having a transformative effect on the community," said Dave Zenk, Executive Director of Metroparks Toledo. "Bringing federal dollars back to northwest Ohio for Front Street, the Martin Luther King Bridge, and Riverwalk is critical to realizing our vision for the region."

Front Street has high traffic volumes and speeds and few signalized intersections, making crossing difficult and dangerous for pedestrians and other non-motorized road users. Its intersections with Main Street and the Craig Bridge - key points of connection to the two bridges that link the east side with downtown - are also among the most dangerous in the region by crash severity.

This project will address these barriers with a comprehensive set of improvements to safety and accessibility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with disabilities on Front Street and on East Toledo’s historic Main Street corridor. These improvements address priorities identified through years of community planning efforts and support the city's Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries to zero by 2031.

This investment will improve safety, enhance accessibility, strengthen community connectivity, and enhance the quality of life for residents of Toledo's historic east side.

Original source can be found here.