Louisville awarded $20.5 million in federal RAISE grants to fund ReImagine 9th Street, Broadway All the Way
Louisville is receiving $20.5 million in federal RAISE grants to fund two transformational transportation projects that are integral to the revitalization of west Louisville and the continued growth of the city’s downtown and edge neighborhoods.
Louisville received a $15.5 million implementation grant to fund the design finalization and construction of the ReImagine 9th Street project and a $5 million planning grant to fund design work for Broadway all the Way, which will make that project shovel-ready. Both projects will improve connectivity, mobility, safety and aesthetics, while promoting economic development and quality of place.
In addition to providing a letter of support for both RAISE grant applications, Gov. Andy Beshear and State Legislature allocated $500,000 to each of these projects through the State Highway Fund.
Metro Council helped the city attract these grants by dedicating local matching funds to both ReImagine 9th Street and Broadway All the Way. Council President David James, D-6, also was instrumental in providing funding for conversion of Chestnut Street and Muhammad Ali Boulevard from one-way to two-way streets, a component of the ReImagine 9th Street plan.
The $24.6 million ReImagine 9th Street plan will transform 9th Street from a six-lane thoroughfare into a complete street with a large pedestrian area, protected bicycle facilities, dedicated bus lanes, green infrastructure, traffic-calming measures and smart signals. Louisville Metro Government worked with internationally renowned designers Gehl Associates and community residents to complete the draft plan.
Work to finalize the designs and construction documents for ReImagine 9th Street will begin in 2023, with opportunities for further community engagement. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2025, with additional funding coming from local and state sources.
In 2019, Metro Government and Gresham Smith, a local engineering, landscape architecture and design practice, began work on Broadway All the Way, which established a vision for the Broadway corridor with an emphasis on premium transit. Since then, they have been gathering feedback from people traveling the corridor, as well as businesses and residents, about improvements they’d like to see along Broadway.
Broadway All the Way will look at implementing Bus Rapid Transit similar to Dixie Highway, and enhancing pedestrian and bus shelters, as well as bike facilities. With the RAISE grant, the city and Gresham Smith will continue planning and design work and host public engagement opportunities to gather more feedback. By the end of 2025, they will complete a draft plan for Broadway All the Way and begin applying for funding for the implementation and construction of the plan. |
