Secretary LaHood announces $189.8 million for transit

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that 13 grants totaling $189.8 million in Recovery Act funds will go to improve state and local transit systems in the United States while supporting the creation of jobs and providing much needed transportation options for millions.  

"The Recovery Act was put in place quickly to rescue the
economy from the worst recession since the Great Depression and rebuild it for
a stronger future," said Secretary LaHood.  "Rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure is a key part of
that prescription for strength.  It
creates jobs today and builds a better, more sustainable economy moving
forward."

Funded by the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the majority of these grants will
be used to purchase new vehicles, increase safety and security initiatives,
construct, rehabilitate or maintain the various transit systems.

Since President Obama
signed ARRA into law on Feb. 17, 2009, grants totaling more than $6.7 billion
have been made available for transit improvements throughout the nation.

 "These funds are creating jobs now while investing in the
future of our transit systems," said Administrator Peter Rogoff of the Federal
Transit Administration.  "The
public’s demand for transit service continues to grow, and these dollars will
help meet that need."

The U.S. Department of
Transportation has made $48.1 billion available for highway, road, transit,
bridge and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Of that, $26.5 billion
already has been obligated to fund more than 7,988 approved projects in 55 U.S.
States and Territories.

Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority received $6.8 million for the Metro Red Line
Subway Escalator Canopy Project.

Connecticut has receive a
$43.8-million grant to be used for:

• $10.0 million for the New
Haven Line Station Improvement Project to implement the construction phase.

• $5.4 million for the
Shore Line East – Branford Railroad Station Parking Expansion Project.

• $3.4 million for the New
Haven Rail Yard Component Change Out Shop.

• $25.0 million for the
Danbury Branch Centralized Train Control Signalization Project.

The Metropolitan Washington
Airports Authority received a $77.2-million ARRA Grant it will use for the
Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, which will accelerate the project’s schedule
of construction and reduce finance costs.