Burlington Free Press

Vermont's congressional delegation announced this week that St. Albans has been awarded a $2.08 million federal grant from the Department of Transportation for its ongoing streetscape project downtown.

The project includes a redesign of Main Street and its sidewalks; new streetlights, traffic signal arms and traffic lights; new street trees to better manage stormwater and new signs. Street and traffic lights will be replaced with energy efficient LED lights.

Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., secured the initial $308,000 grant in 2009 to get the project started. In October 2010, Vermont's delegation secured another $125,000 and in October 2011, the delegation wrote to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of the funding that was announced this week.

"This project will be a real boost to St. Albans City," Vermont's congressional delegation said in a statement. "It will create jobs, stimulate economic development, save energy and preserve the unique and historic downtown character."