U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $19.5 Million to Improve Transit Access in Selected Communities Around the Country
Press Release
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced that 21 organizations around the country will receive a share of $19.5 million in grants to support comprehensive planning projects that improve access to public transit. The funds are made available through FTA's Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Pilot Program for communities that are developing new or improved mass transit systems. A list of selected projects is available online.
"Our nation's transportation demands have exceeded our capacity, causing millions of Americans to lose precious time stuck on congested roads and transit systems," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "By investing in transit planned around housing, jobs and services, these communities are creating ladders of opportunity for their citizens and laying a strong foundation for economic development that our growing nation demands."
FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan announced the grants in Tacoma, Washington, home of Sound Transit, one of the grant recipients. She was joined at the announcement by Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, city council representatives and other local officials.
"Transit-oriented development is critical to the success of new projects and to the economy of the local communities they serve," said FTA Acting Administrator McMillan. "These grants will help communities like Tacoma develop a transportation system that encourages people to use transit to reach jobs, education, medical care, housing and other vital services that they need."
Sound Transit, in partnership with the City of Tacoma, will receive $2 million in FTA funding to support the development of a mobility and economic development plan for communities along the proposed Tacoma Link expansion, a 2.4-mile extension of the Tacoma Link light rail line.
In total, FTA's TOD Pilot Program will provide grants for comprehensive planning work in 17 metropolitan areas around the country, helping communities integrate their land-use and transportation planning efforts as they improve their transit systems.
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