President’s Budget Recommends $1.4 Billion for Major Transit Projects

President Bush today recommended to Congress $1.4 billion in funding for major transit projects that are aimed at increasing mobility and easing congestion in urban areas such as New York and Seattle, as well as smaller metropolitan areas like Springfield, Ore., and Kansas City, Mo., U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters said.

"Transit supports our economic independence and our freedom of mobility, which are both central to the American way of life," U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters said.  "Our investment in transit gives us a fast, frequent and environmentally friendly choice for travel, while relieving growing traffic gridlock facing communities of every size."

For the first time, the budget proposes four projects in a new category known as “Small Starts.”  The category was created under the most recent surface transportation authorization bill so that smaller transit projects—$250 million or less in construction costs and requiring less than $75 million in Small Starts funding—would not have to compete with larger projects for federal funding. 

The spending plan, included in President Bush’s budget submitted to Congress yesterday, announces funding for four new or expanding transit projects, six projects eligible for funding based on progress in the months ahead, and four smaller projects.  Eleven projects have received long-term commitments for federal funding and are already under construction. An additional six proposals were evaluated by the Department’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA), but are not yet advanced enough to be considered for funding.  The ratings and recommendations are part of the FTA’s Annual Report on Funding Recommendations for New and Small Starts for Fiscal Year 2008.

The New Starts Annual Report includes $864 million in annual funding for projects to which the federal government has already made long-term funding commitments, known as Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGAs).  Another $330 million will be available to fund four projects recommended for an FFGA.  Finally, six projects will compete for $72 million based on their progress within the New Starts program and four smaller projects will receive a total of $52 million. 

“We believe the projects recommended in this report provide American citizens the greatest possible return on the investment of their tax dollars,” said FTA Administrator James Simpson.

The report proposes funding for New York City’s Second Avenue Subway, a 2.3-mile project on Manhattan’s east side that will improve current mobility and meet future demand for commuters throughout the New York metropolitan area. Funding is also proposed for Seattle’s University Link, which will serve the most densely developed residential and employment area in the Central Puget Sound region and the state of Washington.

Projects proposed for funding under the new Small Starts program include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Springfield, Ore., and King County, Wash. 
 
A complete list of projects recommended under FTA’s Annual Report on New Starts is available online at www.fta.dot.gov.

FISCAL YEAR 2008 NEW STARTS ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

PENDING FULL FUNDING GRANT AGREEMENTS (2)

Denver, CO – West Corridor Light Rail – $40.0 million in FY 2008 (Medium Rating)
This 12-station light rail extension begins at the existing Auraria Station in downtown Denver and extends 12.1 miles west, parallel to West 6th Avenue, which carries the second highest traffic volume in the region. The West Corridor will serve Lakewood and other Westside activity centers, and will provide connections to the Denver Tech Center, the second largest employment center in the Denver metropolitan
area. It will also facilitate development opportunities along the corridor. It will carry 28,300 average weekly riders, including 5,900 new daily riders, by 2030. The project will cost a total of $574 million.

Portland, OR – South Corridor I-205/Portland Mall – $80.0 million in FY 2008 (Medium Rating)
An 8.3-mile new light rail transit line consisting of two segments connecting to the existing “MAX” system. The first segment of the proposed project is a 6.5-mile line that runs north and south and parallel to I-205, connecting the Clackamas Regional Center in southeast Portland with the Gateway Transit Center east of downtown on TriMet’s existing light rail transit system.  The second segment of the project is a 1.8-mile extension which would begin at the existing Rose Quarter Transit Center and terminate at Portland State University in south downtown Portland. This segment would run along the existing downtown bus mall on 5th and 6th Avenues. The new line will serve 46,500 weekday riders, including 9,400 new daily riders, by 2025. The project is estimated to cost $557.4 million.

PROPOSED FULL FUNDING GRANT AGREEMENTS (2)

New York – Second Avenue Subway – $200.0 million in FY 2008  (High Rating, Final Design Phase)
This 2.3-mile project on Manhattan’s east side will provide extended subway service between the existing Broadway Line and Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, West Midtown, and East Harlem.  The project will relieve overcrowded conditions and improve service reliability on the Lexington Avenue Line, the busiest transit line in America and the only full north-south passenger rail line serving Manhattan’s east side, and improve current mobility and meet future demand for commuters throughout the New York City metropolitan area. The project is estimated to cost $4.65 billion and is expected to serve 213,000 riders each day by 2030.  This 2.3-mile segment is Phase I of an 8.5-mile subway line extending the length of Manhattan’s east side from 125th Street in East Harlem to Hanover Square in the financial district. 

Seattle – University Link – $10.0 million in FY 2008  (High Rating, Final Design Phase)
Sound Transit is proposing to implement an extension of the Central Link light rail transit Initial Segment currently under construction from the segment’s northern terminus at Westlake Station in downtown Seattle to the University of Washington, 3.1 miles to the northeast.  The University Link corridor is the most densely developed residential and employment area in the Central Puget Sound region and the state of Washington.  The extension will serve more than 40,000 weekday riders by 2030.  The project is estimated to cost $1.64 billion.
PROPOSED SMALL STARTS PROJECT CONSTRUCTION GRANT AGREEMENTS (4)

The President’s budget sets aside a total of $52 million to be available for Small Starts projects. The following projects will be considered for funding contingent on further progress and continued compliance with Small Starts criteria and other requirements.

Los Angeles – Metro Rapid Bus System Gap Closure – $16.7 million in FY 2008 (Medium Rating, Project Development Phase)
The proposed eight Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines that make up the Los Angeles Gap Closure project would connect existing Metro Rapid Bus routes, effectively completing a regional arterial BRT network.  The proposed lines have been identified for their potential to reduce travel time throughout the existing Metro Rapid Bus system.  The project, which utilizes existing buses, will add 247 new stations along 120 miles of new bus routes.  When the project is complete in 2008, it is expected to attract 40,000 new daily riders, and accommodate a total of 123,000 boardings each weekday.

Kansas City, MO – Troost Corridor BRT – $6.3 million in FY 2008 (Medium Rating, Project Development Phase)
The nine-mile BRT line along Troost Avenue will terminate in downtown Kansas City. The proposed line, which will add 25 new stations and 15 new low-floor buses, will run north and south, parallel and one mile west of the existing MAX BRT.  Existing transit service on Troost Avenue carries approximately 7,800 passengers each weekday, which is the highest ridership of any corridor in the region. When the project is complete in 2010, it is expected to attract 1,200 new daily riders, and accommodate a total of 9,000 boardings each weekday.

Springfield, OR – Pioneer Parkway EmX BRT – $14.8 million in FY 2008 (Medium Rating, Project Development Phase)
The proposed 7.8-mile extension of the Franklin Corridor BRT extends service from the eastern terminus of the Franklin Corridor route north along the Pioneer Parkway to existing and new residential and employment areas in Springfield.   The project is expected to cost $37 million, and will carry an anticipated 3,700 passengers daily when it opens in 2010.

King County, WA – Pacific Highway South BRT – $14.1 million in FY 2008 (Medium Rating, Project Development Phase)
The 10.9-mile BRT route south of Seattle runs roughly parallel and to the east of Interstate 5 from the City of Tukwila south past Seattle-Tacoma Airport to the City of Federal Way Transit Center.   The project is expected to cost $25 million, and will carry an anticipated 8,200 passengers daily by the year 2015.

OTHER PROJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING (6)

The President’s budget sets aside a total of $72 million to be available for additional projects. The following projects may be considered for funding contingent upon further progress and continued qualification under New Starts criteria and other requirements. Inclusion on this list does not guarantee federal funding or approval of a Full Funding Grant Agreement.

Northern Virginia – Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project Extension to Wiehle Avenue (Medium Rating, Preliminary Engineering Phase)
The project consists of an 11.6-mile extension of the region’s Metrorail system from the existing East Falls Church Metrorail station through the large Tysons Corner employment and retail center to

Wiehle Avenue in the town of Reston.  The extension will serve more than 77,000 passengers a day by 2030.  The project was estimated to cost $2.1 billion at the time the President’s Budget was prepared.

Hartford, CT – New Britain-Hartford Busway (Medium Rating, Final Design Phase)
The 11-station, 9.4-mile exclusive BRT system will run between downtown New Britain and downtown Hartford’s Union Station.  The busway would run parallel to Interstate 84, the primary transportation link between New Britain, West Hartford, and downtown Hartford.  I-84 is currently, and is forecast to remain, the region’s most congested highway. The project is expected to serve 15,200 daily passengers by 2030, and is estimated to cost $459 million, including $11 million in finance charges.

Minneapolis-Big Lake, MN – Northstar Corridor Rail (Medium Rating, Final Design Phase)
The 40.5-mile commuter rail line will connect the Minneapolis central business district with the town of Big Lake.  The project is considered the first phase of a larger proposal to construct an 82-mile commuter rail line from Minneapolis to Rice, Minnesota.  The Northstar Corridor is one of the fastest growing areas in the Twin Cities metropolitan region.  It includes the fully developed urban core and several rapidly growing suburban areas.  Major highway routes into the central business district are at capacity during peak periods for commuters from the north and northwest.  The project is expected to serve 5,100 riders each day by 2025, and is estimated to cost $307 million.

Houston, TX – North Corridor BRT (Medium Rating, Preliminary Engineering Phase)
The proposed 5.4-mile North Corridor Bus Rapid Transit line is the first phase of a planned 24-mile LRT line from Houston’s Central Business District to George H. Bush Intercontinental Airport. The BRT line will operate in an exclusive guideway, except at intersections where buses would receive priority treatment.  The project is expected to serve 11,400 riders each day by 2030, and is estimated to cost $275 million.

Houston, TX – Southeast Corridor BRT (Medium Rating, Preliminary Engineering Phase)
The proposed six-mile Southeast Corridor Bus Rapid Transit line is the first phase of a planned 13-mile rapid transit line from Houston’s Central Business District to William P. Hobby Airport. Approximately 4.1 miles of the BRT line would operate in an exclusive guideway, while the remainder would be in a reserved lane and mixed traffic at intersections where buses would receive priority treatment.  The project is expected to serve 13,900 riders each day by 2030, and is estimated to cost $169 million.

Norfolk, VA – Norfolk Light Rail (Medium Rating, Final Design Phase)
Hampton Roads Transit is proposing to construct a 7.4-mile light rail transit line within the city of Norfolk that is intended to serve as the initial segment of a regional rapid transit system.  The project is expected to serve 6,500 riders each day by 2025.  The project is estimated to cost $232 million.

EXISTING FULL FUNDING GRANT AGREEMENTS (11)

Continued investment in projects that have successfully passed FTA’s rigorous standards and for which Full Funding Grant Agreements have been put in place:

Phoenix, AZ – Central Phoenix East Valley Light Rail – $90.0 million in FY 2008
 The Central Phoenix East Valley Light Rail project is a 19.6-mile light rail system running from the Spectrum Mall area in Phoenix, through the downtown areas of Phoenix and Tempe, to Mesa.  The project, overseen by Valley Metro Rail, will provide access to major employment centers including the Phoenix and Tempe central business districts, Sky Harbor Airport, and Arizona State University (ASU); and large special event venues including Civic Plaza Convention Center, Bank One Ballpark, America

West Arena, and ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium.  The project will cost $1.4 billion, with a federal New Starts share of $587 million.

Los Angeles – Metro Gold East Side Extension – $80.0 million in FY 2008
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is constructing a 5.9-mile light rail line in the East Side Corridor, connecting downtown Los Angeles with East Los Angeles.  The project will cost $898.8 million, with a federal New Starts share of $490.7 million.  It is expected to carry 23,000 daily riders by 2020.

Denver – Southeast Corridor Light Rail – $78.8 million in FY 2008
The Denver Regional Transportation District and the Colorado Department of Transportation are constructing the Southeast Corridor Light Rail project, dubbed T-REX.  T-REX is a 19.1-mile double-track light rail transit extension to the existing system, which follows I-25 from Broadway in Denver to Douglas County, with a spur along I-225.  The total project cost is $879.27 million, with a federal New Starts share of $525 million.  It is expected to carry 38,100 daily riders by 2020.

Washington, DC – Largo Metrorail Extension – $35.0 million in FY 2008
Sections 3043(a)(31) and 3043(j) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) authorizes the inclusion of an additional 52 rapid rail cars in the Largo Metrorail Extension.  FTA included proposed funding for the cars in this section even though the original Full Funding Grant Agreement has been completed and revenue service for the 3.1-mile, two-station extension from Addison Road Station to Largo Town Center in Prince George’s County, Maryland, has begun.

Chicago – Ravenswood Line Extension – $40.0 million in FY 2008
The Chicago Transit Authority is reconstructing platforms and stations on the existing Ravenswood (Brown) Line to accommodate eight-car trains, along with other related capital improvements.  The Brown Line extends approximately 9.1 miles from the Kimball Terminal on the north side of Chicago through the “Loop Elevated” in downtown Chicago, and includes 19 stations.  The total project cost is $529.91 million, with a federal New Starts share of $245.52 million.  It is expected to carry 68,000 daily riders by 2020.

New Jersey – Hudson-Bergen (Second Segment) – $55.2 million in FY 2008
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is constructing an extension to the Hudson-Bergen Waterfront Light Rail Transit System.  The project includes a 5.1-mile, six station extension from Hoboken Terminal to the Tonnelle Avenue park and ride lot in North Bergen and a one-mile, one-station extension south from 34th Street to 22nd Street in Bayonne. The total project cost is $1.21 billion, with a federal New Starts share of $500 million.  It is expected to carry 34,900 daily riders by 2020.

New York – Long Island Rail Road East Side Access – $215.0 million in FY 2008
The New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Long Island Rail Road are proposing a commuter rail project that will link LIRR passengers to a new passenger concourse in Grand Central Terminal on Manhattan’s east side.  The 3.5-mile East Side Access (ESA) project, using an existing rail tunnel under the East River, will increase LIRR tunnel capacity across the East River and significantly relieve over-crowded conditions throughout the LIRR network.  The project  will provide direct access to the east side of Manhattan for users of the LIRR, who must currently transfer to other transit lines or walk to get to the east side from Penn Station.  The ESA project will serve a portion of the strongest transit market in the country.  Through reducing travel time to Manhattan’s east side and relieving overcrowding conditions on existing LIRR service to Penn Station, the East Side Access will carry more than 171,900 weekday riders, including 27,300 new daily riders by 2030. The project will cost a total of $7.78 billion, with a federal New Starts share of $2.63 billion.

Pittsburgh – Northshore LRT Connector -- $33.5 million in FY 2008
This project sponsored by the Port Authority of Allegheny County is a 1.5-mile extension of the region’s 25-mile light rail transit system, which would connect downtown Pittsburgh’s Golden Triangle area to the city’s North Shore area.  The project is expected to cost $393 million, with a federal New Starts share of $217.7 million.  It will carry 15,800 weekday riders, including 4,100 new daily riders, by 2025.

Dallas – Northwest/Southeast Light Rail – $86.3 million in FY 2008 
This 21-mile extension will provide fixed guideway transit service in heavily traveled transportation corridors.  From Dallas’ central business district, the line will extend northwest 10.9 miles along I-45 to the city of Farmer’s Branch, and southeast 10.1 miles to Buckner Boulevard. The project will provide an alternative to congested highway facilities, increase transit capacity, improve connectivity to regional activity centers, and provide economic development opportunities.  The line will carry nearly 46,000 weekday riders, including 10,700 new daily riders, by 2025.   The project will cost a total of $1.4 billion, with a federal New Starts share of $700.0 million.

Weber County/Salt Lake City, UT – Commuter Rail – $80.0 million in FY 2008
This 43-mile, eight-station commuter rail project will provide the areas of Pleasant View, Ogden, Clearfield, Layton, and Bountiful with direct access to downtown Salt Lake City.  The commuter rail line will serve nearly 12,000 weekday riders, including 6,100 new daily riders, by 2025.  The project will cost a total of $611.7 million, with a federal New Starts Share of $489.3 million.

Seattle – Central Link (Initial Segment) – $70.0 million in FY 2008
The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) is constructing a 13.9 mile light rail line that will run from Convention Place through downtown Seattle to South 154th Street in the city of Tukwila.  The total project cost is $2.44 billion, with a federal New Starts share of $500 million.  It is expected to carry 42,500 daily riders in 2020.