Title: Stimulus Express: The Economic Recovery Act Puts Amtrak and Transit-Rail Projects on the Fast Track
Abstract: The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 promises to inject large amounts of money into transit and rail projects. Amtrak's stimulus allocation comes to $1.3 billion, the equivalent of one full year of funding. Transit is allocated $8.4 billion, with $6.9 billion for capital assistance formula grants, and $750 million each for fixed-guideway modernization formula grants and New Starts. Rather than create a new distribution system, the formula grants are based on pre-existing formulas that determine federal funding based on area population, as well as the number of route miles agencies operate over and number of passengers they serve. The legislation also does not waive any traditional requirements, such as environmental and labor reviews. Projects that agencies have filed for include new lines or facilities, track or facility upgrades, rolling stock purchases or improvements, and station rehabs. In the case of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which is in the middle of doubling its 45-mile light-rail system, it has chosen to spend nearly all its $61 million in stimulus money on the Orange Line project. The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) is splitting its recovery act funds along the same lines it splits its sales tax revenue: 60 percent for the base system and 40 percent for the FasTracks expansion program. The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has $48 million in stimulus funding and is using much of it for its rail expansion program known as the Frontlines 2015 program, which calls for 70 miles of new rail lines in seven years. Additionally, it plans to convert an old 250,000-square-foot furniture warehouse into a light-rail repair shop. Amtrak plans include major bridge upgrades along the East Coast corridor and improvements to facilities in Seattle, Los, Angeles, Chicago and Miami. A few stations, including the one in Wilmington, will receive major overhauls. The $8 billion for high-speed rail will only go to projects that have reached a certain level of commitment, though improvements can be made if they will eventually contribute to a high-speed rail operation. California is well-positioned, with the most advanced plans in place.
Publication Year: 2009
Publication Date: 2009-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
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