The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) has announced plans to invest $2.2 billion for the development of 29 significant rail and bus rapid transit projects across 15 states.
The projects form part of the President Obama’s proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budget. Of the 29 projects, the significant projects include LYNX Blue Line Extension, Southeast Corridor and North Corridor Bus Rapid Transit and Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit projects.
LYNX Blue Line Extension project has been proposed by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), under which a new light rail transit line would be extend from Uptown Charlotte northeast to the US 29 interchange and the University of North Carolina’s Charlotte campus. The line will be 9.3 miles long and pass through 11 new stations. The estimated cost of the project is $1.07 billion of which 50% will be funded by FTA.
Southeast Corridor and North Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) involves construction of two BRT projects in Jacksonville that will combine for 20 miles of new rapid transit routes and pass though 21 new stations. The estimated value of both the projects is more than $57 million, of which FTA will provide about $47 million covering almost 80% of the total cost.
Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Grand Rapids, Michigan has been proposed by the Interurban Transit Partnership, which will be built along Division Avenue from the Grand Rapids central business district to 60th Street/Division Avenue. The estimated cost of the project is $35.3 million of which FTA will support almost 80% of the cost.
