Rep. Sykes Introduces Amendment to Continue Funding Department of Transportation's Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program
WATCH: Rep. Sykes Full Remarks from the Transportation and Infrastructure Reconciliation Mark Up
Washington, D.C. — U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Vice Ranking Member Emilia Sykes (OH-13) introduced an amendment to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Reconciliation bill to continue funding the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. Earlier this year, Rep. Sykes announced the City of Akron received a grant from DOT to help with the Reconnecting West Akron Innerbelt Project after writing a letter to then-DOT Secretary Buttigieg encouraging the Department to support the grant award. The funds for the project were frozen earlier this year by the Trump administration as part of a decision to pause all Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, and the City of Akron has not received any of these funds. While this amendment was voted down by the majority in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on a party-line vote, Rep. Sykes will continue to work to implement strategic and mindful planning and execution of highway and other infrastructure projects for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
“$10 million was awarded to the City of Akron from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program to support the Reconnecting West Akron Innerbelt Project, a series of market and equity-based development solutions and transportation and infrastructure improvements that will reduce the community strains created by the Innerbelt,” said Rep. Sykes during the Committee Markup. “Today, the constituents of Akron are finally seeing a resurgence of engagement and conversation with their government on the local level and federal level. However, due to the actions of the Trump Administration, this funding has been paused with no end in sight, leaving the city of Akron, and many other communities across the country, with projects that will not see funding. If Congress does not act and ensure this funding remains available, these communities will continue to suffer from the poor decisions of the past, and that is not a reality I want to or that we should accept.”
These funds, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are from the DOT Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. Akron will use the $10 million to support the repurposing of a one-mile section of State Route 59, or the Innerbelt highway, that cuts through central Akron. These funds are in addition to the $960,000 the city received in March 2023 from the same DOT program.
Innerbelt construction began in 1970 to create a 4-mile-long, six-lane highway, which now cuts through central Akron. Prior to the construction, the area was a vibrant community that was home to many families of color. The project resulted in the displacement of many of these families, in addition to businesses. Currently, just over 11 of the 40 acres of highway are in use. The City of Akron is now working with community members to redevelop the decommissioned areas.
The Reconnecting West Akron Innerbelt Project proposes a series of market and equity-based development solutions and transportation and infrastructure improvements that reduce the barrier created by the Innerbelt. The Project incorporates community and stakeholder input as the driver of the final design that redevelops the decommissioned Innerbelt site, reconnects the neighborhoods that were severed by the highway, and begins the process of community healing.