Rail projects get DOT New Starts boost

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Monday announced $1.58 billion for 28 public transit items, to be funded by Fiscal Year 2011 Section 5309 “New Starts” allocations. Rail transit projects made out exceptionally well, with 16 items garnering more then $1.33 billion, or more than 84%, of the total funding.

LaHood (pictured at left) said the projects will improve public transportation access for millions of Americans while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and curbing air pollution.

“Investing in a modern transportation network is a key part of President Obama’s strategy to win the future by out-building and out-competing the rest of the world,” LaHood said. “America’s long-term economic success requires investing now in transportation infrastructure capable of moving people and goods more safely, efficiently and quickly than ever before.”

Added Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff, “Our investments in expanding America’s transit networks will not only improve reliable transportation access for communities across the country, they will support construction jobs and economic development, and, a more efficient and reliable transit network means new opportunities for Americans to keep more of their paychecks in their wallets and spend less at the gas pump.”

Colorado and Texas were two big winners for rail projects. Denver, in particular, will benefit from $40 million for its East Corridor rail project, $40 million for its Gold Line, and $40 million for its West Corridor light rail transit project.

Dallas gets $86.2 million to continue expanding light rail service through DART’s Northwest/Southeast LRT Minimum Operable Segment (MOS), while intrastate rival Houston will receive $75 million for its North Corridor LRT and another $75 million for Houston’s Southeast Corridor LRT.

New York and Utah also did well. Two New York City rail projects were awarded large sums–$215 million for the Long Island Rail Road’s East Side Access project, and $197 million for Second Avenue Subway Phase 1 construction. For Utah, Salt Lake City’s Mid Jordan LRT received $100 million, while the state capital’s Weber County to Salt Lake City Commuter Rail project notched $80 million.

Other rail projects include: $23 million for the Perris Valley Metrolink extension southeast from Riverside, Calif.; San Francisco’s Central Subway LRT project, netting $20 million; Orlando’s still uncertain Central Florida Commuter Rail Transit [SunRail]—Initial Operating Segment, $40 million; Honolulu’s High Capacity Transit Corridor Project, $55 million; St. Paul, Minn.’s Central Corridor LRT, now beginning construction, $45 million; northern Virginia’s Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project Extension was awarded $96 million; and Seattle’s University Link LRT extension landed $110 million.