Jon Tester

10/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2024 09:39

Tester Secures $19.1 Million in Critical Infrastructure Improvements Near Great Falls

Funding will improve safety, efficiency at the Gore Hill interchange

As a direct result of his bipartisan infrastructure law, U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced today he has secured $19,100,000 for critical infrastructure improvements near Great Falls. Funding will update the Gore Hill interchange, add an I-15 southbound auxiliary lane between Gore Hill Interchange and 10th Ave North Interchange, and relocate Tri Hill Frontage Road.

This funding comes from the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) program, which Tester established through his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Tester worked with five Republicans and four Democrats to negotiate the IIJA and was the only member of Montana's Congressional delegation to vote for the bill.

"Everybody who's driven to the Great Falls airport knows that the Gore Hill interchange could use some serious improvements to move traffic faster and keep folks safe on the road," said Tester. "That's why I pushed the Biden Administration to approve funding to reconstruct the Gore Hill interchange and get this project started. I'm proud to see funding from my bipartisan infrastructure law going towards these vital improvements, and I look forward to seeing this project benefit the community for years to come."

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the IIJA, including $2.82 billion for Montana's roads, highways and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $1 billion to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation; $65 billion to deploy broadband to areas across the country that lack internet access and additionally make online connectivity affordable; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. Tester also worked to ensure that all iron, steel, and construction materials used for these projects must be made in America.

A full list of Montana provisions in Tester's bipartisan infrastructure law can be found HERE.