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Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Contact:
Velvet Snow, Tel.: (202) 366-4043
FTA 04-04
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $13.3 Million For Transit
Projects in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents will benefit from transit enhancements, improved access
to employment areas and expanded bus services as a result of four grants
totaling $13.3 million announced today by U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Norman Y. Mineta.
“Every day residents of Pennsylvania do their part when they commute to work,”
said Secretary Mineta. “Today we do our part by making the kind of investment
that will keep commuters and the economy moving.”
Grants totaling $13,373,947 will support the following
projects:
• The Port Authority of Allegheny County will receive a
$6.9 grant for the North Shore Connector Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project. The
project is an extension of the existing LRT in two locations within the city of
Pittsburgh: the Gateway Line, a 1.2-mile extension from the existing Gateway
Center Station, across the Allegheny River, to the new Heinz Field Football
Stadium and Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore; and the Convention
Center Line, a 0.3-mile extension from the existing Steel Plaza LRT Station to
the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
• Another grant for $3.9 will be used by the Port
Authority to finance Job Access and Reverse Commute projects in the Southwestern
Pennsylvania Region. The funds will be used for the expansion of transit
services, community van services, employer van services and other shared ride
programs. The projects will be implemented and operated by transit agencies,
transportation management associations, human service agencies, and a
faith-based community service.
• The Westmoreland County Transit Authority will receive a
$1.2 grant to buy three under-30-foot buses to replace vehicles that have
reached or exceeded their useful life and purchase four commuter buses for
service expansion.
• The city of Williamsport will receive a $1.2 grant to buy
two replacement buses and associated capital maintenance items; renovate and
expand the administrative and maintenance facility; purchase and install a bus
washer in the facility; and install three bus stop shelters and signage.
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