ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Inner Loop North transformation project is getting closer to uniting neighborhoods in downtown Rochester.

Included in legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives was $4 million for the project. It must now be approved by the Senate.

The project will raise the north section of the Inner Loop to make it street level, similar to the Inner Loop East project.

Mayor Lovely Warren says the initial funding will go towards design and planning, while also getting input from the community.

“Rochester is showing the nation how we can revitalize our cities by replacing old underused highways that have divided us both literally and figuratively,” Warren said in a statement. “I’m excited that this funding will continue the work started by former Assemblyman David Gantt and our neighborhood leaders, as well as, replicate the success of Inner Loop East, where $22 million in public dollars have returned over $229 million in private investment and created a brand new neighborhood.”

Advocates say the importance of the project can't be understated.

"Uniting neighborhoods by having the Inner Loop filled in is an issue of equity and justice,” said Assemblyman Harry Bronson. “It’s an issue of bringing our neighborhoods together. It’s an issue in connecting this particular neighborhood with downtown. The importance of that is because it translates into creating opportunities. It translates into making sure we have a connectiveness with our families throughout this city."

The mayor says close to $50 million will be needed to complete the project.