Peach Tree Times

Atlanta, GA — On June 27, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined Senator Jon Ossoff and Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-07), to announce that the Gwinnett County Department of Transportation will be awarded a $20 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant from the United States Department of Transportation. The RAISE grant award will replace the existing Gwinnett Place Transit Center located near I-85 at Pleasant Hill Road with a modern 2-story building that will accommodate county-wide expansion of transit service. This funding was requested by McBath in a letter of support to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg earlier this year. 

“I am proud to deliver these funds alongside Congresswoman McBath and Senator Ossoff to Gwinnett County to strengthen the connectivity of our communities. These new investments will strengthen the transportation infrastructure in one of Georgia’s most populous counties,” said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “By increasing capacity for bus bays, electric vehicle charging stations, creating new sidewalks and modernizing amenities, Georgians in Gwinnett County will be on the frontlines of our emerging clean energy economy.”

“I am so pleased that Secretary Buttigieg and the Biden-Harris Administration recognize what I know to be true—this community deserves strong federal investments like this RAISE grant,” Representative Lucy McBath said. “I want to congratulate Gwinnett County for yet another significant award to invest in the progress of our transportation and infrastructure systems. This $20 million award from the RAISE program will be essential in shaping the future of transit in Gwinnett County. Forward-thinking investments like the one we are announcing today is just one of the many reasons why I was proud to support the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and why I advocated my strong support for Gwinnett County’s application for funding. I cannot wait to see the vision for the Gwinnett Place Transit Center fully realized.”

“Since taking office, expanding and improving transportation and transit options across Georgia a has been a top priority,” Senator Jon Ossoff said. “Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are delivering an unprecedented investment in transportation and transit options for Gwinnett County residents. I thank President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg, Senator Reverend Warnock, and Congresswoman McBath for helping make this transformative project a reality.”

“This grant marks a significant milestone in our community’s transit needs, and I look forward to witnessing the positive impact this investment will have on our residents and the overall development of Gwinnett County,” said Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “I would like to thank Congresswoman McBath for her continued support while advocating for Gwinnett transit’s future.”

“I would like to thank Senators Ossoff and Warnock, Congresswoman McBath, and Chairwoman Hendrickson for their leadership and support of the grant application,” said Gwinnett County Department of Transportation Director Lewis Cooksey. “As the community where everyone thrives, transportation options are a vital component of our network, and the replacement of the Gwinnett Transit Center will enhance our current services while expanding opportunities for the future. We look forward to the needed improvements that these funds will deliver.”

The RAISE discretionary grant program was established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. In 2022, RAISE funded 166 projects in all 50 states. $1.5 billion was available in grant funding for 2023. As a member of the Commerce Committee, Senator Warnock fought to authorize the RAISE grant program in the Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 (STIA), and ensure the popular program received robust funding when STIA was included as part of the bipartisan infrastructure deal.

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Original source can be found here.