$834,000 for Town of Gray Public Safety Improvements Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $834,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for public safety improvements to the Gray-New Gloucester Middle School and High School complex in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“The Middle School and High School complex on Libby Road in Gray serves more than 1,300 students and approximately 150 staff,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support critical improvements to ensure the safety of students and staff. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
“This funding would be instrumental in allowing the Town of Gray to address unsafe conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists at our middle/high school campus,” said Gray Town Manager Nathaniel Rudy. “Currently, the school property has no secondary egress, and only partial sidewalk along a very busy State route, with no associated crosswalk into nearby neighborhoods. Small rural towns such as ours depend on federal support for significant infrastructure improvements such as these, and we are hopeful that the Appropriations Committee joins us in viewing the safety of our students as a priority.”
This funding would support a three-part safety project that includes new sidewalks, a crosswalk, and lighting that will enhance bike and pedestrian safety. These improvements would also meet ADA accessibility needs.
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 THUD appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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