WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced a new multi-million dollar transportation grant that will help improve transportation and upgrade infrastructure in Portland’s Libbytown neighborhood. Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, the $22,400,000 grant was awarded to the Reconnecting Our Villages: Historic Libbytown Project for the construction of a roundabout and bike paths, the redesign of certain streets, and other infrastructure improvements.

Named after George Libby, an Irish immigrant, the Libbytown neighborhood was split in the 1960s when Interstate 295 was constructed through the community. The DOT grant will help restore Libbytown as a cohesive Portland neighborhood, which is home to Maine Medical Center, Hadlock Field and the Portland Transportation Center.

“The Libbytown neighborhood is an iconic part of Portland’s history and livelihood,” said Senator King and Congresswoman Pingree. “During the I-295 construction, the neighborhood was split in half — displacing businesses and families. This funding from the Inflation Reduction Act will help restore the Libbytown community and ensure all its residents are able to enjoy the benefits of a thriving and well-connected neighborhood.”

The award to the Libbytown project is part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Grant Program which provides federal grants to connect communities by supporting neighborhood equity, safety and access to affordable transportation, as well as mitigating negative environmental impacts. The NAW emphasizes working with economically disadvantaged or underserved communities.

Senator King and Congresswoman Pingree were strong supporters of the Inflation Reduction Act and voted for the bill when it passed Congress in August 2022. The legislation invests over $350 billion to help communities with climate resiliency, lowers healthcare and prescription costs for every American, and has supported hundreds of new jobs in Maine.

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