Posted by Citizens Taking Actions for transit and trains www.CTAriders.org

US Stimulus Legislation Funds Transit / Trains

Citizens Taking Action, transportation activists, just completed 3 intense lobbying efforts with the following results:

The House passed the conference report of the stimulus package today (2/13).  The Senate is expected to pass it over the weekend. 

Here is a break down of the transportation funds:

‐ $8.4 billion for public transportation.
‐ $1.5 billion for competitive grants to state and local governments.
‐ $9.3 billion for rail transportation, including Amtrak, High Speed and Intercity Rail.

Rather than earmark money for specific projects, the actual legislation breaks down spending by category and leaves the selection of projects up to state and local authorities or federal agencies.

High on local authorities' wish lists is the elimination of slow zones for CTA trains by improving tracks on the Red Line south of Roosevelt Road and on the Blue Line subway under Dearborn Street. Metra has a list of ideas that includes adding 360 parking spaces at its station in suburban Elburn and reconstructing its station at 35th Street.

This is the breakdown for intercity passenger rail:

- $8 billion for capital assistance for HSR Corridors and Intercity Passenger Rail Service. "The conferees have provided the Secretary flexibility in allocating resources between the programs to advance the goal of deploying intercity high speed rail systems in the U.S."

- $1.3 billion for Amtrak.  Of this, $450 million is earmarked for security and life safety improvements.  The remaining $850 million is intended for projects that will increase capacity, including rolling stock rehabilitation.  No more than 60% of these funds can be spent in the Northeast Corridor.

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