USDOT: $3B to Support 9 Rail Transit Construction Projects

“FTA looks forward to working with these communities to advance transit projects that will provide new transit options,” FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said March 11.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on March 11 recommended that nine large rail transit-related projects in five states receive approximately $3 billion in federal support for construction as part of President Biden’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Request to Congress.

These projects are in addition to five large bus rapid transit (BRT) projects, which will receive approximately $643 million, for a total of 14 projects valued at almost $4 billion, according to USDOT.

Seven of the 14 projects would receive funding recommendations for the first time. Others on the list are already under construction or far along in the process required to receive a capital construction grant (scroll down).

The Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report on Funding Recommendations accompanies President Biden’s FY 2025 Budget Request. The listed projects, which require a local funding match, seek funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) and Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) Pilot programs—the federal government’s primary grant programs supporting new large transit capital projects that are locally planned, implemented and operated, and include investments such as new and expanded subway systems, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars, and BRT. The report recommends $2.37 billion in annual appropriations requested from Congress and $1.6 billion in FY 2025 funding provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law advanced appropriations.

The President’s FY 2025 Budget request proposes a total of $1.2 billion in funding for three projects in the CIG/EPD pipeline that were recommended in prior budgets but have not yet entered into a construction grant agreement:

1. In Illinois, $350 million is recommended for the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line Extension Project to expand by 5.6 miles the Red Line Dan Ryan branch on Chicago’s Far South Side from the present 95th Street Terminal to the 130th Street area. The project will reduce commute times, improve mobility and accessibility, and foster economic development in a corridor with high levels of poverty, unemployment, and long travel times, USDOT said. The project includes the purchase of railcars, stations, parking facilities, and a new rail yard and maintenance shop.
2. In New Jersey/New York, $700 million is recommended for the proposed Hudson Tunnel Project to improve reliability for New Jersey Transit and Amtrak. The project includes construction of a new two-track heavy rail tunnel along the Northeast Corridor from the Bergen Palisades in New Jersey to Manhattan. The project includes the construction of a new tunnel under the Hudson River, the rehabilitation and modernization of the existing North River tunnel, and utility relocation work for the Long Island Railroad Emergency Services Building. (MPA Delivery Partners, a joint venture of Parsons Corporation, Arcadis of New York, Inc., and Mace North America Limited, will serve as Delivery Partner for the $16 billion project, the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) announced Feb. 28.)
3. In Texas, $109.7 million is recommended for the proposed VIA Advanced Rapid Transit North/South Corridor Project, a BRT project from the San Antonio International Airport in the north, through downtown San Antonio, to Steves Avenue in the south.  

The President’s FY 2025 Budget request includes seven projects that are recommended to receive funding for the first time. Totaling approximately $1.5 billion, they are:

1. In California, $200 million is recommended for the Inglewood Transit Connector Joint Powers Authority’s Inglewood Transit Connector Project, which will provide automated, elevated rail service to multiple large-event venues located along the project corridor. According to USDOT, it is intended to connect the underserved Inglewood community and the countywide passenger rail system. The project includes the construction of new tracks and stations and the purchase of vehicles.
2. Also in California, $500 million is recommended for the Transbay Joint Powers Authority’s Transbay Downtown Extension Project, which will extend Caltrain commuter rail service from the China Basin/South Park neighborhood near the current Caltrain terminus to the Salesforce Transit Center in central San Francisco. The project is intended to improve public access to rail and bus service and accommodate projected growth in travel demand along the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay corridor, according to USDOT. The project includes 1.3 miles of underground tunnel, new tracks, stations, ventilation and egress systems, and the purchase of vehicles.
3. In Florida, $263.7 million is recommended for the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works’ Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project, which will provide commuter rail service between downtown Miami and the city of Aventura. USDOT said the project is intended to improve multi-modal regional connections and increase transit options in an urban, commercial corridor. The 13.5-mile project includes stations, park- and-ride facilities, the purchase of vehicles, and improvements to a rail yard and rail vehicle maintenance storage facility.
4. In Indiana, $141.9 million is recommended for the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation’s (IndyGo) Blue Line Rapid Transit Project, which will implement BRT between the Indianapolis International Airport, downtown Indianapolis, and Cumberland along IndyGo’s busiest bus route.
5. In North Carolina, $138.3 million is recommended for the Chapel Hill Transit’s North-South Bus Rapid Transit Project, which will connect riders to several major activity and job centers, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, hospitals, and downtown Chapel Hill.
6. In Texas, $134.7 million is recommended for the VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Advanced Rapid Transit East/West Corridor Project, which will provide BRT connecting key destinations, including the Alamo, the San Antonio Riverwalk, the University of Texas San Antonio Downtown Campus and downtown San Antonio.
7. In Wisconsin, $118.1 million is recommended for the city of Madison’s North-South Bus Rapid Transit Project, which will link neighborhoods north of Madison, through downtown, and into the city of Fitchburg.

According to USDOT, the President’s FY 2025 Budget request also proposes approximately $1 billion in total funding for four projects with existing construction grant agreements. They are:

1. In California, $315.7 million is recommended for the Westside Purple Line Extension Section 3 Rail Project. The Westside Subway provides a connection for the region’s second-largest job center and links downtown Los Angeles with the Westside.
2. In Minnesota, $129.5 million is recommended for the Minneapolis Southwest Light Rail Transit Project. The project adds 14.5 miles to the existing METRO Green Line and links downtown Minneapolis, downtown Saint Paul, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie.
3. In New York, $496.8 million is recommended for the New York City Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project to improve mobility. (New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority last July solicited the first contract to construct Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, and unveiled draft station renderings for the long-awaited 1.5-mile Q train service extension from 96th Street north to 125 Street and then west on 125th Street to Park Avenue.)
4. In Washington, $88.4 million is recommended for the Seattle Lynnwood Link Light Rail Extension Project, which will expand the light rail system from Northgate station in King County to the Lynnwood City Center Station in Snohomish County. It is intended to relieve congestion, improve transit performance, and enhance mobility choices, according to USDOT.

In the President’s FY 2025 Budget, FTA also proposes several provisions to increase access to and the effectiveness of federal funds across communities. According to USDOT, they include:

• “Support equity in rural and Tribal areas: Waive the match requirement for rural, tribal, and non-profit providers in the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and People with Disabilities and Formula Grants for Rural Areas programs, and waive the match requirement for Tribal applicants to the Buses and Bus Facilities and Low-and No Emission competitive programs.”
• “Address the fiscal cliff: Allow Urbanized Area Formula Funds and Federal Highway Administration ‘flex funds’ to be used for operating assistance in all urban areas.”
• “Empower local authorities: Enable transit agencies to purchase real property outside an existing transit corridor, harmonizing with Federal Highway Administration policies.”
• “Unlock micromobility systems: Allow FTA grantees to directly fund shared micromobility systems, such as bicycles and scooters, to enhance connectivity to transit stations.”
• “Lower bus costs and speed up delivery: Authorize FTA to encourage lower costs and faster delivery of low- and no-emission buses, such as through standardized purchases.”

“FTA looks forward to working with these communities to advance transit projects that will provide new transit options,” FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. “These investments support President Biden’s commitment to combat climate change while also improving safety, advancing equity, and improving quality of life for millions of Americans.”