USA: A total of $281m in additional Fiscal Year 2018 federal funding for transport projects through the Capital Investment Grants programme was announced by the Federal Transit Administration on November 28.
The five projects either have a construction grant agreement or are nearing completion of all statutory and readiness requirements.
The Tempe Streetcar is a future 3·2 km route with 14 stops and six vehicles linking downtown Tempe and Arizona State University which is under construction for opening in 2021. This will connect with an existing light rail line serving Phoenix, Mesa and the airport. The total project cost is $201·9m, with the $25m FY2018 allocation completing the $75m requested through the CIG programme.
There is $100m for the Los Angeles Westside Purple Line Section 3 project, a 4·2 km metro extension from Century City to Westwood and the Veterans Affairs hospital including two stations and 16 vehicles. The total project cost is $3·7bn with $1·3bn requested through the CIG programme. Construction is planned to begin in 2019 for opening in 2026.
An additional $80m is allocated for the San Diego Mid-Coast Corridor light rail project, a 17·5 km extension from downtown San Diego to the University City area. FTA announced a $1·04bn grant agreement for the $2·17bn project in September 2016.
FTA has allocated the $74·1m requested under the CIG programme for the $150·7m Minneapolis Orange Line BRT project to develop a 27 km route along Interstate 35.
The $128·7m Dallas Area Rapid Transit Red & Blue Line Platform Extensions Project will receive $2m, completing the $60·8m requested through the CIG programme.
‘These significant investments in the public transit systems in five communities across the country will improve mobility for riders who depend upon public transit every day’, said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. FTA has so far allocated $1·86bn of the $2·62bn in FY 2018 CIG funds appropriated by Congress.
