MONROE – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today attended the ground-breaking ceremony for construction funded by a RAISE grant (formerly BUILD grant) awarded to the City of Ruston and Louisiana Tech University. The RAISE grant is worth $17.2 million and was awarded to the U.S. Department of Transportation. While at the ground-breaking, Dr. Cassidy praised the City of Ruston and highlighted his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“Ruston has done a good job,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I am pleased to have helped Ruston obtain this grant. I’m also pleased that the new infrastructure bill will have even greater opportunities for grants like this, so that this sort of ground-breaking can happen again and again and again in Louisiana, as we invest in our state to make it a better place for families to stay and for people to move to.”
The RAISE grant supports new pavement projects, drainage, sidewalks and bike lanes that will connect Louisiana Tech to the City of Ruston. It also supports underground electrical infrastructure, and sensors to provide real-time data for traffic, parking and environmental conditions.
“I appreciate Senator Cassidy attending the groundbreaking ceremony, and his tremendous help with getting this RAISE grant,” said Mayor Walker. “Senator Cassidy is always available when I call, always offering his help and support for projects in Ruston as well as North Louisiana. His staff does a fantastic job in keeping us informed of funding opportunities and beneficial programs for our city.”
Afterwards, the Senator toured the new Integrated Engineering and Science Building at Louisiana Tech with Dr. Guice, to learn how Louisiana Tech is educating students and improving our economy.
“I appreciate meeting with Senator Cassidy at the groundbreaking ceremony and for visiting our new Engineering and Science Building,” said Dr. Guice. “We discussed our research and development work in automated systems infrastructure as part of our plans to address electric vehicle roadways, safety and security in public transit infrastructure. This work leverages the new investments of the RAISE grant for our Smart Infrastructure Testbed in our Enterprise Campus as well as our work with the National Cyber Research Park in Bossier City and beyond.”
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