Feds release delayed infrastructure grants, sending $8.6 million to Virginia

ArailroadcrossinginVirginia.(SarahVogelsong/VirginiaMercury) Afteryearsofbureaucraticlimbo,Virginiaissettoreceive$8.6millionfromtheU.S.DepartmentofTransportationtosupportaslateofinfrastructureprojectsthatwerefirstannouncedthreeyearsago. ThefundingcomesaspartofanationaleffortbytheadministrationofformerPresidentJoeBidentoclearabacklogof3,200unobligatedgrantsthathadstalled“criticalinvestments”incommunitiesnationwide,accordingtotheagency.ThedepartmentsaidTuesdayithasnowcleared1,065ofthoseprojectsbutdidnotexplainwhythegrantsweredelayedinthefirstplace. SixawardsareheadedtoVirginia,benefitingAshland,Smithfield,Petersburg,RichmondandSalem.TheVirginiaDepartmentofRailandPublicTransportationalsoreceived$5millionforPhaseIIoftheJamestownScotlandFerryFacilityRehabilitationProject. “Whilecynicsinthepresshystericallywarnedofdoomsdaydelays,USDOThasbeenhardatworktogetAmericabuildingagain,”U.S.TransportationSecretarySeanDuf