Fed Money for PA Transit Improvements

from the inbox:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $18.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds for transit improvements in 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:



· Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA): $12.5 for the renovation of Malvern Station.

· The York County Transportation Authority: $2.4 million for administrative and maintenance facility property acquisition.

· Cumberland-Dauphin-Harrisburg Transit Authority: $2 million to purchase four buses and bus shelters.

· Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority: $1.7 million for preventive maintenance and security equipment.

The grants are among 881 totaling $7.5 billion the Federal Transit Administration has awarded since President Obama signed the Recovery Act in February 2009. So far, Recovery Act funds have supported the purchase of nearly 12,000 buses, vans and rail vehicles, the construction or renovation of more than 850 transit facilities, and the performance of more than $620 million in preventive maintenance, which has helped to save transit service and jobs, and enhance service reliability.

“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 is making $48.1 billion available for highway and bridge, rail transit, small shipyards and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Of that, $36.8 billion already has been awarded and will support 13,700 projects in 55 U.S. states and territories.