Fed Money for PA Transportation

From last Friday's inbox:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $92.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds for transit upgrades and improvements across Pennsylvania.

“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.”

Grants are being awarded as follows:

· Pennsylvania Department of Transportation: $30.2 million for the purchase of 45 35-foot buses, two 30-foot buses, three 40-foot vehicles, rebuild four 35-foot buses, construct intermodal transit center; rehabilitate/renovate administrative and maintenance facility and park & ride lot.

· Port Authority of Allegheny County: $62.5 million for the North Shore Connector Project.

Since President Obama signed ARRA into law on Feb. 17, 2009, 415 grants totaling $3.8 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 (FTA). “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, $21.9 billion already has been obligated to fund more than 6,658 approved projects in 55 U.S. States and Territories.