New grants to pave way for improvements to Holmes Ave., Governors Dr.

Two of Huntsville’s most traveled roads are due for some improvements, and some new grant applications approved by the city aim to do just that.

Holmes Avenue and Governors Drive could get some much-needed improvements with these federal grants.

Grants for Holmes + Governors

The City will move forward with applications for two U.S. Department of Transportation grants focusing on safety and traffic congestion on these busy roadways in the downtown area following City Council approval.

One grant would help pay for construction improvements on a 3.35-mile stretch of Holmes Avenue, and the other would help fund a study for improvements on an 8.85-mile stretch of Governors Drive that includes the Medical District.

The Holmes Avenue grant:

• The construction on the Holmes Avenue Medical Access Corridor Project would transform the downtown link to the University of Alabama in Huntsville with new sidewalks, bike lanes and streetlamps.
•  It would also upgrade access to the Medical District for residents living in neighborhoods along Holmes Avenue. 
• The City is seeking $21 million in grant money that would fund 70% of the cost while spending $9 million that would cover the remaining 30%.

The grant for Governors Drive:

• The Governors Drive Corridor Study & Medical District Safety Action Plan will present recommendations to better facilitate the increasing traffic flow as well as further accommodate pedestrians in the Medical District. 
• The study area starts at 14^th St. SW on the western end and continues east to Caldwell Lane. The City is seeking $640,000 in the federal grant with a 20% City match of $160,000.

City officials expressed confidence in the city obtaining these federal grants.

“These grants emphasize safety and improving traffic flow on two roads that see high volumes of automobile and pedestrian traffic while passing through several residential areas. With plans to enhance Holmes Avenue from downtown to Cummings Research Park as well as working closely with Huntsville Hospital on making Governors Drive as safe as possible, we believe the City is an excellent candidate to receive these grants.”

Dennis Madsen, Manager of Long-Range and Urban Planning

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