Build America Bureau

“The TIFIA loan program has proven to be a highly effective tool, supporting the delivery of more than $150 billion in infrastructure investment through over $52 billion in flexible, low-cost loans,” said Morteza Farajian, Executive Director of the Build America Bureau. (Build America Bureau Photograph)

TIFIA Credit Program, Revised

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau (Bureau) on July 7 reported a policy update to the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit program that will allow “all types

“#SnoCoLink is officially open! More choices, more ways to get there,” Sound Transit reported Aug. 30 via social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). (Sound Transit Photograph)

Lynnwood Link Extension Launches (UPDATED 9/3)

Sound Transit on Aug. 30 celebrated the opening of its 8.5-mile Lynnwood Link Extension, which adds four new stations north of the current 1 Line terminus at Seattle’s Northgate neighborhood in Washington

Santa Clara VTA on June 8 held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project, extending light rail service from the existing Alum Rock Light Rail Station to the Eastridge Transit Center with an elevated guideway, located primarily in the center of Capital Expressway. (Santa Clara VTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, Santa Clara VTA

At Seattle’s Sound Transit, testing is under way on the 8.5-mile Lynnwood Link Extension and a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been released for the Operations and Maintenance Facility South project. Also, Santa Clara Vally Transportation Authority (VTA) breaks ground for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector project.

“Having a library, public restrooms, a community center, and a kitchen all under one roof—and only steps away from Skagit station—will be a major benefit for the people of Mount Vernon,” USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg said May 1. “This is the first of what we hope will be many TOD loans that will make vital resources more accessible to more people, especially historically overlooked communities.” (Screen Shot of the Mount Vernon Library Commons Project from a city of Mt. Vernon, Wash., video)

USDOT Closes First Loan Supporting TOD

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on May 1 reported that its Build America Bureau has approved the first transit-oriented development (TOD) TIFIA loan, which will support a Mt. Vernon, Wash., project located a short walk from the Amtrak-served Skagit Station.

The 8.5-mile Link 1 Line light rail extension from Northgate into Lynnwood will open Aug. 30, 2024, adding four new stations. (Sound Transit Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Denver RTD, Sound Transit, WMATA

Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) spearheads a pilot project that integrates trip planning and fare payment in the Transit app. Also, Washington’s Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) announces the launch date for Link 1 Line service to Lynnwood, Wash.; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reports that efforts to reduce fare evasion and increase safety are working.

USDOT: $31.4MM for SNR, MRY

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Jan. 29 announced that its Build America Bureau has provided a $31.4 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan to Sierra Northern Railway (SNR) and Mendocino Railway (MRY) to expand and rehabilitate rail infrastructure in the Central Valley and Mendocino County, Calif.

MARTA has received $1.75 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to stand up a transit and TOD “accelerator” that it says will “close capital funding gaps for projects across the region.”

Transit Briefs: MARTA, SunRail, TTC, WMATA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) secures $1.75 million to form a regional transit and transit-oriented development (TOD) accelerator. Also, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) provides new details on SunRail’s proposed extension; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) restores streetcar service to Humber Loop; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) opens a new Integrated Command and Communications Center.

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