Evansville, Welborn Baptist Foundation to apply for $20 million federal grant to build a low-emission transportation system

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — Evansville is one step closer to launching a low-emission transportation project spanning all corners of the city.

Project leaders from the Evansville Climate Collaborative envision — what they call — a clean transportation system that is accessible to everyone.

To make the dream a reality, Evansville will partner with the Welborn Baptist Foundation and apply for a $20 million U.S. E.P.A. Community Change Grant.

The city’s public works board approved the agreement on Thursday.

After Thursday, the city and the Welborn Baptist Foundation will apply for the $20 million. Those dollars will go toward expanding the METS Micro program, starting a new electronic bike ride share service, building 15 “mobility hubs” and place what are called EV chargers around the city.

Evansville will submit its application on July 31.

Eyewitness News is told the purpose of the development is to reduce transportation emissions and promote the use of low-to-no emission options.

“Those options could include more use of our public bus system, more use of a public micro transit system — which is basically like Uber, but cheaper. It’s more publicly accessible and affordable and those would be EV and hybrid vans.”

The collaborative would also like to build 15 “mobility hubs,” which will be home to areas with electronic vehicle charging stations, e-bikes and e-bus transit to other hubs around town.

Evansville wants to put the hubs close to what it calls “primary public transit stops.”

“It will primarily serve everyone, but it will primarily serve the disadvantaged populations that have the most limitations with transportation and affected most by transportation emissions.”

The city believes Evansville will improve its air quality and improve health and welfare for all.

Award announcements are expected to be made in the fall.

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