FTA awards grants for urban rail projects

Written by David Burroughs, News & Features Writer, International Railway Journal
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Tempe Streetcar image

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced that it has allocated $281 million in Capital Investment Grants to five rail projects in Arizona, California, and Texas.

The $201.9 million Tempe Streetcar, a three-mile line with 14 stations and six vehicles designed to connect Tempe city center, Arizona State University and existing light rail serving Phoenix, Mesa and the airport, will receive the final $25 million installment of a $75 million grant.

The $3.7 billion Los Angeles Westside Purple Line Section 3 project, a 2.5-mile heavy rail extension from Century City to Westwood and the Veterans Affairs hospital that includes two stations and the procurement of 16 trains, will receive $100 million.

The $2.17-billion San Diego Mid-Coast Corridor light rail project is a 11-mile light rail extension from San Diego city center to the University City area, which will improve access to employment hubs and education and medical facilities. The project will receive $80 million in addition to a $1 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement signed in September 2016.

The $128.7-million Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Red and Blue Line platform extensions project to extend and modify platforms along the existing Red and Blue Lines to accommodate three-car trains with level boarding will receive $2 million from the FTA.

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