10/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/02/2026 14:22
Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff secured more than $11.3 million in federal funding to improve Savannah's roadways and reduce traffic congestion
The funding will improve DeRenne Avenue, the primary corridor for Hunter Army Airfield, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Candler Hospital, and freight moving to and from the Port of Savannah
In June, Senator Warnock urged Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to award the City of Savannah funding through the Department of Transportation's Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program
Senator Reverend Warnock: "Upgrades to this central corridor will promote economic opportunity, improve safety, and reduce traffic for Georgians across Savannah"
Savannah, GA - Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) successfully secured more than $11.3 million in federal funding for the Freight Mobility, Military and Workforce Readiness Corridor Project on DeRenne Avenue. The funding will support right-of-way acquisition for the project, which will improve a key transportation corridor serving Hunter Army Airfield, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Candler Hospital, and freight moving to and from the Port of Savannah. The funding was provided by the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program and will help relieve chronic congestion, improve military operational readiness, support economic growth, and boost public health and safety. This grant is funded by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which Senators Warnock and Ossoff championed.
"To ensure that Memorial Health University Medical Center and Candler Hospital are accessible during emergencies and Hunter Army Airfield can stay connected to strategic partners across the country, we need strong investments to modernize Savannah's vital roadway infrastructure," said Senator Warnock. "Upgrades to this central corridor will promote economic opportunity, improve safety, and reduce traffic for Georgians across Savannah."
"The City of Savannah remains committed to improving DeRenne Avenue, and we're excited about the continued momentum with the support of United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah Technical College, Memorial Health University Medical Center (MHUMC), the Georgia Motor Trucking Association, Senator Warnock, and Senator Ossoff," said Mayor Van R. Johnson, II. "DeRenne Avenue carries regional significance, but it's also the way that our residents rely on every day to get to work, school, and home. This project continues to be an incredible example of partnership, and we're proud to keep it moving forward."
This funding will help the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the City of Savannah complete a key component of Project DeRenne, a major four-part infrastructure initiative aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving transportation and neighborhood connectivity along the DeRenne Avenue corridor. Specifically, the funding will support a new connection between I-516 and White Bluff Road and widen Hampstead Avenue to improve pedestrian and bicycle access.
Senator Warnock has long championed infrastructure projects across Georgia. Earlier this year, he pressedU.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to approve the City of Savannah's request for federal funding to support Project DeRenne. Senator Ossoff also urged Secretary Duffy to provide funding for the project in July. In a similar effort, Senators Warnock and Ossoff successfully secured over $54 million in federal DOT funding to improve Georgia's roadway infrastructure and help strengthen road safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. From this effort, the City of Savannah received $2 million to develop a digital emergency services platform.
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