FTA

BART, RTD: $635MM in ARP Grants for COVID-19 Response

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded a $330.8 million American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 grant to the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and a $304.2 million ARP grant to the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD).

FTA to Launch National Transit Workforce Center

The International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) has been awarded $5 million to establish and run the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) first Transit Workforce Center, which will help agencies nationwide recruit, hire, train and retain employees.

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Transit Briefs: Chicago DOT, FTA

The Chicago (Ill.) Department of Transportation (CDOT) has released a strategic transportation plan that it’s calling “the nation’s first” urban plan developed in the wake of the pandemic, economic and racial justice crises of 2020. Also, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is now accepting applications for its Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation.

USDOT: $250MM to Advance Transit Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation reported on June 11 that 22 transit projects in the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program will receive a total of $250 million in American Rescue Plan funding allocations; four are rail-related and will receive a total of $64.9 million.

Caltrain: Electrification Delayed to ’24, Costs Rise 17%

Caltrain’s launch of electrified service will be delayed two years, until late 2024, due to “complications in the installation of signal systems, unforeseen conditions under Caltrain’s tracks, and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which severely disrupted supply chains necessary to the project.”

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For USDOT, a Scientific Approach, and TOD Funds

Resurrecting a position that was abolished more than 40 years ago, the U.S. Department of Transportation is appointing a Chief Science Officer for the entire agency, and has taken additional steps “to act on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to address the climate emergency and restore scientific integrity.” And the Federal Transit Administration has made available $10 million in TOD (transit-oriented development) planning grant funds.