Federal money awarded for roadway beautification

MARION - Marion-based Trees Forever was approved last week for federal money to support Iowa's Living Roadways project, which uses vegetation to enhance the transportation system.

Through the Living Roadways project, Trees Forever assists counties and cities in better utilizing road corridors. Native grasses and shrubs help stabilize the earth alongside the road, prevent erosion and absorb rainwater, and also beautify the scenery and work as "living snow fences" that block snow drifts for drivers. 

'Our roadways can really work for us,” said Leslie Berckes, the program manager. 'They don't just need to be mowed.”

At its monthly meeting last week in Ames, the Iowa Transportation Commission, which oversees the Iowa Department of Transportation, authorized $200,000 in federal assistance for Living Roadways among $1 million disbursed through the Transportation Alternatives program.

The commission also awarded money through other programs for a community bike rental project at University of Iowa in Iowa City, an interchange improvement at Interstate 380 and Boyson Road in Hiawatha, a walk to school program, and lane reduction or "road diet" projects in Iowa City.  

The disbursement to Trees Forever was much less than the $354,496 received last year, and half as much as the $400,000 requested. The project costs was estimated at $505,922, according to the application.

Berckes said the reduced funding from this grant will not force them to scale back.

Debra Arp, the grant program administration lead for the Iowa DOT, said funding for Iowa's Living Roadways has fluctuated over the years, and this year they decided to put more money toward other applications.

Other funds awarded through the Transportation Alternatives program include $157,893 to the Iowa Safe Routes to School partnership between the Iowa Northland Regional Transportation Authority and Iowa Bicycle Coalition, $336,500 for a separate native grass plantings effort, and $75,000 for the Urban Youth Corps.

After the meeting, the Iowa DOT began seeking applications for sponsors of the Urban Youth Corps, a program that aims to provide transportation-related work and training for older teens and young adults struggling to find work. The Iowa DOT offered examples such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, work on rail-to-trail conversions and historic preservation.

Other measures taken at the meeting include:

' $3.9 million for eight projects from Iowa's Clean Air Attainment Program, which provides money for projects that aim to reduce emissions and improve air quality. Eastern Iowa had three of those projects including $1 million to realign the Interstate 380 and Boyson Road interchange in Hiawatha; $1 million for a Smart Transit: $442,735 million for a midtown loop and feeder system as part of the transit system in Dubuque, and $135,000 for a bike share program at University of Iowa.

' $1.3 million for six federal Recreational Trails Program projects, including $450,599 to acquire a rails-to-trails corridor from Mitchellville to Prairie City; $119,575 to connect the Raccoon River Valley Trail to High Trestle Trail, from Perry to Bouton; and $240,000 for snowmobile trail grooming equipment.