The San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

36th STREET EXTENSION PROJECT RECEIVES FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDING

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) voted today to approve $14.74 million dollars in stimulus funding for 36th Street Extension Project. This project is unique in that it expands and reconfigures an important road which connects U.S. HWY 90 to Port San Antonio. One segment of the project is on City property and the second phase is part of Port San Antonio’s property.

The City, which receives $4.5 million of the MPO’s $14.74 million dollar award, has agreed to manage the construction of both portions of the 36th Street Extension Project. This will be the second time that the City and the Port have undertaken a successful road project. The first project was the building of the Frio City Ramp which was completed in February of 2008.

The improvement to 36th Street will have a significant economic impact on San Antonio and South Texas by connecting six major highway components to produce a trade corridor for the area. The project will also open up an additional 150 acres of airfield accessible property. Conservative forecasts project that over 4,500 new jobs will be created as a result of the extension project and the acreage that will become contiguous to Kelly Field (SKF)

“The leadership of the MPO believes in this project and its importance to our City,” said Wayne Alexander – Chairman of the Board of Directors for Port San Antonio. “The MPO Board members and staff are to be commended for their sound judgment in making this come to fruition.”

The City of San Antonio, City Public Service Energy, the San Antonio Water System and Port San Antonio have already committed $25.6 million dollars for the 36th Street Extension Project. The federal stimulus money granted today guarantees funding of the project which will begin immediately

As part of the guidelines set forth by the government, the federal stimulus bill seeks job creating investments in economically distressed areas, such as Port San Antonio, and also seeks projects that have leveraged other sources for funding. Because of these requirements the 36th Street Extension Project was an ideal project to receive this federal stimulus funding from the MPO.