"These significant investments will strengthen our country’s transit infrastructure and improve mobility for those who depend upon public transit every day," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a total of $1.36 billion in federal funding allocations to 16 new and existing transit projects in the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program.
FTA is allocating approximately $424.8 million in appropriated Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 CIG funding to two projects that have existing construction grant agreements and five new projects, subject to further review and approval, that are nearing readiness for consideration to receive such an agreement. In addition, FTA is allocating $936 million in appropriated FY 2019 CIG funds to nine projects with existing construction grant agreements.
"These significant investments will strengthen our country's transit infrastructure and improve mobility for those who depend upon public transit every day," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
With this announcement, FTA has advanced funding for 22 new CIG projects throughout the nation under this administration since January 20, 2017, totaling approximately $5.06 billion in funding commitments.
"FTA continues to evaluate and advance eligible projects in the CIG program consistent with federal law. We are pleased to allocate funding to five new CIG projects and 11 projects with existing grant agreements across the country," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams.
The five new CIG projects included as part of the April 9 announcement are (1) First Coast Flyer Southwest Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Jacksonville, Fla.; (2) Virginia Street Corridor BRT project in Reno, Nev.; (3) River Corridor/Blue Line BRT project in Albany, N.Y.; (4) Division Transit BRT project in Portland, Ore.; and (5) Central City Line BRT project in Spokane, Wash.
FTA indicated its intent to fund these and existing CIG projects through updated allocation notices for FY 2018 and FY 2019 CIG funding appropriated by Congress. Funding for new CIG projects will be awarded once the project sponsors complete the rigorous CIG program steps outlined in law and FTA signs construction grant agreements with the project sponsors.
The CIG Program provides funding for major transit infrastructure capital investments nationwide. Projects accepted into the program must go through a multi-year, multi-step process according to requirements in law to be eligible for consideration to receive program funds.
New CIG Projects Receiving Allocations
First Coast Flyer Southwest Corridor BRT Project in Jacksonville, Fla.
The First Coast Flyer Southwest Corridor BRT project is a 12.9-mile BRT line from the Convention Center in downtown Jacksonville, via Florida State College-Jacksonville (Kent Campus), to the Orange Park Mall in Clay County. Upon final FTA approval of a construction grant agreement, the project will receive $16.6 million in FY 2018 CIG funds to complete the CIG funding request.
Virginia Street BRT Extension Project in Reno, Nev.
The Virginia Street BRT Extension project is a 1.8-mile extension of BRT service operating in the Virginia Street corridor, from its existing northern terminus in downtown Reno to the University of Nevada, Reno. The project also includes upgrades to the existing BRT service from downtown Reno south to the Midtown District. Upon final FTA approval of a construction grant agreement, the project will receive $40.4 million in FY 2018 CIG funds to complete the CIG funding request.
River Corridor/Blue Line BRT Project in Albany, N.Y.
The River Corridor/Blue Line BRT project is a new 16-mile BRT line along the Hudson River connecting Waterford in the north to Downtown Albany in the south. Upon final FTA approval of a construction grant agreement, the project will receive $26.9 million in FY 2018 CIG funds to complete the CIG funding request.
Division Transit BRT Project in Portland, Ore.
The Division Transit BRT project is a new 15-mile BRT line from Portland's Central Business District east to Gresham. Upon final FTA approval of a construction grant agreement, the project will receive $87.4 million in FY 2018 CIG funds to complete the CIG funding request.
Central City BRT Project in Spokane, Wash.
The Central City BRT project is a new 5.8-mile BRT service that extends from Browne's Addition, a residential area and National Register Historic District located west of downtown Spokane, to an eastern terminus at Spokane Community College. Upon final FTA approval of a construction grant agreement, the project will receive $53.4 million in FY 2018 CIG funds to complete the CIG funding request.
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