Stimulus Money for PA Transit

From the inbox:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $7.5 Million in Federal Recovery Act Funds to Pay for Transit Improvements in Pennsylvania

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $7.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds for transit improvements in Hazleton, 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.”

The following grants are being awarded:

· Hazleton Public Transit: $879,623 for an intermodal parking facility and a vehicle locator system.

· County of Lackawanna Transit System: $2.6 million to purchase four hybrid-electric buses and communications and security equipment.

· Cumberland-Dauphin Harrisburg Transit Authority: $3.4 million for the purchase of five hybrid-electric buses, and for operating expenses.

· City of Sharon: $616,815 to purchase three buses, and make facility renovations.

Since President Obama signed ARRA into law on Feb. 17, 2009, grants totaling more than $5.7 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 (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, $25 billion already has been obligated to fund more than 7,701 approved projects in 55 U.S. States and Territories.