07/15/2009 GAAS:378:09 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Recovery Task Force Applauds 11 California Transit Operators for Securing $170 Million in Recovery Funds
California Recovery Task Force Director Cynthia Bryant issued
the statement below after the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal
Transit Administration approved and obligated over $170 million in grant
funding to 11 California transit operators. The grant awards will be provided
by the federal government directly to the transit operators in
California.
"The Schwarzenegger Administration is working around the
clock to pump Recovery funding into the California economy quickly, effectively
and responsibly - and we congratulate these local transit agencies for their
efforts in successfully securing funding for their local economies," said
Cynthia Bryant, Director of the California Recovery Task Force. "As we know
from the bond funds championed by Governor Schwarzenegger, investing in
California's infrastructure stimulates our economy and supports long-term
economic growth, while also reducing traffic congestion and improving our
quality of life."
Grants for ten California transit operators come from the
Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula (Transit Capital Assistance) Program and
one from the Section 5309 Fixed Guideway Infrastructure Investments (Transit
Capital Assistance) Program. The federally approved and obligated Recovery Act
grants will be provided by the federal government directly to the transit operators
in California, and include:
- The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority was granted $66,740,000 in Section 5309 funds for design and construction of the Eastside Light Rail Extension from Union Station to Atlantic via 1st St. to Lorena, then 3rd St. via 3rd/Beverly Blvd. to Atlantic.
- The Victor Valley Transit Authority was granted $3,413,070 in Section 5307 for construction of a new administration and maintenance facility.
- The City of Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines was granted $14,266,151 in Section 5307 funds for the replacement of ten 30 foot, two 40 foot and three 60 foot articulated alternative buses and 83 bus shelters.
- The Orange County Transportation Authority was granted $76,802,235 in Section 5307 funds for performing preventive maintenance, maintenance facility upgrades and safety improvements.
- The City of Davis was granted $3,917,374 in Section 5307 funds for the replacement of nine - 40 foot buses.
- The City of San Luis Obispo was granted $1,023,660 in Section 5307 funds for transit passenger internet access, preventive maintenance, farebox upgrades and facility improvements.
- The Riverside Transit Agency was granted $17,465,036 in Section 5307 funds for ADA operating assistance, preventive maintenance, transit enhancements and debt service payment for 55 CNG buses.
- The City of Benicia was granted $132,000 in Section 5307 funds for the replacement of 12 bus shelters and upgrading the current fueling station.
- The City of Turlock was granted $1,559,585 in Section 5307 funds for the construction of the Turlock Transfer Facility.
- The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority was granted $47,504,684 in Section 5307 funds for the purchase of five 40 foot hybrid replacement buses and the construction of ADA bus stop improvements.
- The City of Santa Rosa was granted $4,289,133 in Section 5307 funds for upgrades to their paratransit services, performing preventive maintenance, upgrades to solar bus shelters and partial funding for a 40 foot hybrid electric bus.
Recovery Act funding is designated for federally defined
purposes. California is expected to receive nearly $2.6 billion from the
Recovery Act for highways and local streets, and $1 billion for transit
projects. Competitive programs within the Recovery Act could also provide
approximately $300 million in additional funding in this area. Additionally,
California expects to be very competitive in securing a portion of $8 billion
Recovery Act funding federally designated for high-speed rail and intercity
rail.
