DES MOINES – Tuesday Governor Chet Culver announced that the Iowa Transportation Commission has approved more than $2.8 million for transportation infrastructure projects around the state.

“I believe investing in infrastructure is an investment in jobs. These projects will help address the unmet infrastructure needs which exist in these communities across the state, and most importantly, keep Iowans working,” said Governor Culver. “I look forward to the coming weeks of the legislative session as we focus our efforts on infrastructure, economic stimulus, and job creation, and continuing our work to rebuild Iowa.”

Below are the projects approved Tuesday by the Iowa Transportation Commission:

1. Up to $880,000 from the state-funded Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Program was awarded for a project supporting construction of new Coralville transit facilities to replace those destroyed by flooding. The Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Program was created by the Iowa Legislature in 2006 to assist Iowa’s public transit systems with a portion of the cost of new or improved facilities to support their public transit services.

2. The city of Ottumwa will receive up to $369,494 from the state’s Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy (RISE) program. Funding will be used to assist with reconstruction of approximately 1,560 feet of Sixth Street in the Ottumwa Regional Airport Industrial Park. Funding for the grant comes from the city share of the RISE fund. The improvement will provide necessary access for the proposed U.S. Job Corps Center, which will provide educational work force training for economically disadvantaged youth, ages 16-24. The project will support the creation of 130 jobs with almost $36 million in associated capital investment.

3. Five Federal Recreational Trail Program projects were approved totaling approximately $1.2 million. The projects and approved funding amounts are listed below.

* Clear Creek Trail Phase V, Part 2 (Coralville), $226,526
* Copper Creek Trail (Jackson County Conservation Board), $233,679
* Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) /AmeriCorps Trails, $280,000
* Iowa Designated Off-Highway Vehicle Park renovation projects (DNR), $183,969
* Snowmobile Grooming Equipment Replacement Project (DNR and Iowa State Snowmobile Association), $240,000

4. The city of Denison will receive up to $443,532 from the state’s RISE program. Funding will be used to assist with construction of approximately 1,720 feet of new roadway and turning lanes on U.S. 59 to provide access for the proposed professional office park. Funding for the grant comes from the city share of the RISE fund. The completed improvement will provide initial access to 17 lots in the 40-acre site.