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Transit projects

Capital improvements | Tribal transit | New starts/small starts | Fixed guideway infrastructure

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes funding for a number of transit programs.

Capital improvements

The Recovery Act includes $6.9 billion for transit capital improvements to be administered through Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assistance programs.

FTA has announced that $81.6 million in transit formula funds are available to Wisconsin for capital projects. A little more than $61 million will go to urbanized areas, and about $20 million will be allocated for non-urbanized areas.

Capital projects include buses and bus facilities, preventative maintenance, public transit improvements that enhance economic development, improvements to intercity bus and intercity rail stations, non-fixed route para-transit services, security and introduction of new technology.

Distribution of funds for transit capital improvements to states and urbanized areas is being handled through established FTA funding formulas (80% urban, 10% rural, and 10% high growth/high population density).

FTA will also set aside $100 million for discretionary energy-related investments, with a priority for projects with the highest percentage of energy savings.

Eligibility

Visit the FTA Web site for detailed information related to project eligibility and notices related to transit discretionary program provisions in the Recovery Act. In general, all transit projects must otherwise be federally eligible and all federal requirements apply. Federal funding is for up to 100 percent of project costs.

Project details

Governor Jim Doyle approved project proposals for 14 small urban areas in April 2009. Funding for these projects totals $23,154,677. The transit systems will proceed to develop applications to have the projects certified by FTA.

• 5307 Transit System Priorities

Projects for non-urbanized transit systems totaling $11,299,461 were approved by the Joint Finance Committee.

• 5311 Non-Urban Capital Projects

Contact

Rod Clark
(608) 266-2963
rod.clark@dot.wi.gov

Tribal transit

The Recovery Act provides more than $17.2 million for the Tribal Transit Program.

The purpose of this program is to:

• Enhance the access of public transportation on and around Indian reservations in non-urbanized areas to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services, and recreation
• Assist in the maintenance, development, improvement, and use of public transportation systems in rural and small urban areas
• Encourage and facilitate the most efficient use of all federal funds used to provide passenger transportation in non-urbanized areas through the coordination of programs and services
• Provide for the participation of private transportation providers in non-urbanized transportation to the maximum extent feasible.

Eligibility

Funds will be distributed directly to eligible tribes based on an annual national competitive selection process conducted by FTA.

Contact

Alyssa Macy
(608) 266-3761
alyssa.macy@dot.wi.gov

Transit new starts/small starts

The Recovery Act provides $750 million in funding for New Start projects, which are locally planned, implemented and operated major transit capital investments that include heavy and light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit systems. FTA will administer the distribution of funds through a competitive grant process. Priority will be given to projects already under construction or able to obligate funds within 150 days of enactment and will be available until September 30, 2010.

Eligibility

Visit the FTA Web site for detailed information related to project eligibility. All projects must otherwise be federally eligible and all federal requirements apply.

Contact

Rod Clark
(608) 266-2963
rod.clark@dot.wi.gov

Fixed guideway infrastructure

The Recovery Act provides $750 million in funding for Fixed Guideway infrastructure investments. The estimated funding for Wisconsin is $243,232. FTA plans to administer the distribution of funds through the existing formula distribution.

Eligibility

Visit the FTA Web site for detailed information related to project eligibility. All projects must otherwise be federally eligible and all federal requirements apply. Funding is for up to 100 percent of project cost and is available until September 30, 2010 (an extension of up to one year may be granted).

Contact

Rod Clark
(608) 266-2963
rod.clark@dot.wi.gov

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Last modified: June 23, 2009