Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA) is working to see that her Reconnecting Neighborhoods and Restoring Commmunities Act turns decades of promises into reality. It is part of the massive bi-partisan infrastructure measure signed by President Joe Biden last month. There's $1 billion in funding included.
During the 1956 Federal Highways Act Williams says neighborhoods were intentionally divided. "It decimated black wealth, black churches, and black communities by dividing them with the interstate system," says Williams. She tells Audacy Atlanta's Maria Boynton that those communities would now be reconnected.
According to Williams the massive plan to improve roads, bridges, and more will be implemented across every level of government so, "get ready Atlanta."
Agencies in Atlanta such as MARTA, GRTA, and others would get 70% of the $1.4 billion for public transit funding. While $9 billion is earmarked to fix highways and roads in Georgia, with another $225 million for bridge work.
Williams was in attendance when President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion bi-partisan infrastructure bill on November 15, 2021. "It shows the work I've put in since I've been in Congress to make this a reality," says Williams.
Click below to the listen to the full interview with Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA).