For Immediate Release 

April 11, 2024 

Contact 

Natalie Adams (Casey): 202-228-3789

Charlie Hills (Fetterman): 202-228-6099 

Emilia Rowland (Lee): 330-212-2065  

Zoe Bluffstone (Deluzio): 771-444-0316 

Amidst Record Rainfall Lee, Deluzio, Casey, Fetterman Secure $6.6 Million for Pittsburgh’s Parkway East Floodwall

Additional funding follows recent flooding that closed the critical route

The Members secured $142.34 million for the highly congested thoroughfare in December 2023

100,000 daily travelers on the two arteries will see upgrades including bridge rehab, flood mitigation, traffic congestion reduction

New floodwall will finally drain “the Bathtub” in downtown Pittsburgh

The Members have delivered billions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for road and bridge improvements

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lee, Congressman Deluzio and U.S. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman announced that they secured $6,669,000 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to support the “Protect the Parkway” Floodwall Improvements Project making major safety improvements to I-376 (the Parkway East), including the flood-prone “Bathtub” in  downtown Pittsburgh. The grant follows a $142.34 million award, delivered by the Members in December 2023, to support safety improvements.

Congresswoman Lee said, “It’s so good to see Secretary Buttigieg taking swift action to help channel critical resources into Pittsburgh, especially with the pressing need to address our city’s vulnerability to flooding. This new $6.6 million funding for the Parkway East Floodwall is a game-changer. It directly targets the notorious ‘Bathtub’ area, providing a much-needed solution to a long-standing problem that affects countless residents, commuters, and businesses. This initiative not only secures the safety and efficiency of one of our key transport routes but also stands as a testament to our commitment to enhancing community resilience against climate impacts, creating jobs, and promoting economic growth. It’s a proud moment for us all, showcasing our dedication to ensuring that every community, especially those historically overlooked, benefits from our collective progress and protection against future adversities.”

“When the Bathtub floods, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County residents, commuters, and travelers lose a critical artery,” said Senator Casey. “The consequences are deep and far-reaching, especially for many in marginalized communities. With severe weather on the rise, we’re delivering more funding to drain the Bathtub and protect Southwestern Pennsylvanians’ livelihoods and safety.” 

“I commend Secretary Buttigieg for taking action to address the persistent closures and safety hazards caused by the ‘bathtub’ and other flood-prone parts of the parkway. As a Pennsylvania commuter myself, I know firsthand the frustration and concern these closures bring. It’s a huge relief to see the Department of Transportation making it a priority to strengthen our highways in the face of climate challenges,” said Senator Fetterman.

“I am thrilled to see this important investment come home to help fight dangerous and disruptive flooding in our region. This $6.6 million dollar grant to deal with the dreaded ‘bathtub’ will improve travel across Western Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Deluzio. “The President’s Infrastructure Law is making a real, tangible difference in folks’ lives, and I’m glad to join my colleagues in announcing this critical investment in our regional transportation system.”

A 2019 study rated the parkway as the fifth most congested road in the United States. In December 2023, the Members secured $142.34 million for a multimodal project that will make significant progress to ameliorate that congestion and the corridor’s safety hazards, including to prevent flooding. This new funding will provide further support for thatlarger project’s upgrades, which include rehabilitating 10 bridges, installing a new floodwall along the downtown section of the parkway so flood-prone it is known as “the Bathtub,” implementing technologies to ease traffic from Monroeville to downtown, and stabilizing hilly terrain to prevent landslides. In addition to traffic, flooding, bridges, and potentially unstable terrain, the $149 million in federal funding will improve bus infrastructure, shoulder and sidewalk safety, and key stretches of South Braddock Avenue and Route 30/Lincoln Highway/Ardmore Boulevard.

The award is from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant program, established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Since IIJA passed in 2021, Casey, Fetterman, Lee, and Deluzio have delivered more than $14.2 billion in federal funds from the law to Pennsylvania. That includes more than $8 billion in funding for over 600 road and bridge projects and more than $1 billion for high-speed internet. 

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Since taking office in January 2023, Lee, who serves on the House Oversight Committee and Space, Science and Technology Committee, has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $1.3 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $200 million for infrastructure, over $50 million for affordable transit, and over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 1,950 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.

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