FTA 08-02
Sunday, March 17, 2002
Contact: Gail Taylor
Tel.: (202) 366-4043
DOT Announces $54.4 Million Grant to Regional Transportation District in Denver, CO
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, joined by Sen. Wayne Allard, today announced a $54.4 million grant in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, CO.
“President Bush has proposed $7.2 billion for the Federal Transit Program as part of the FY 2003 budget, further reinforcing the Administration’s commitment to efficient public transportation as a strategic investment,” said Secretary Mineta. “This grant strengthens that commitment and will help the RTD provide safe and reliable transit services to the residents of Denver and surrounding areas.”
“I
want to thank President Bush and Secretary of Transportation Mineta for
recognizing the importance of the Southeast Corridor Light Rail project.
With the growing population in the Denver-metro area, these funds are
crucial in continuing to deal with our transportation needs,” said Senator
Allard. “This funding will allow
the Regional Transportation District and the Colorado Department of
Transportation to keep the Southeast Light Rail project on time and on
budget.”
The Secretary and Sen. Allard were joined at the event by Representatives Diana L. DeGette (CO-1st), Thomas G. Tancredo (CO-6th) and Mark Udall (CO 2nd).
The grant awarded today, in the amount of $54,450,720, will be used for right-of-way appraisal, relocation, and acquisition; design and project management services; and construction of structures for the Denver Southeast Corridor Light Rail Transit (LRT). The RTD and the Colorado Department of Transportation are implementing the Southeast Corridor project, a 19-mile LRT system extending from the existing LRT station at Interstate 25 and Broadway in Denver along I-25 to Lincoln Avenue and I-25 in Douglas County, with an LRT spur line along I-225 to Parker Road in Arapahoe County. The project includes 14 stations, 34 light rail vehicles, a maintenance facility and system upgrades. The double track system will operate in an exclusive, grade-separated right-of-way and connect with the existing 5.3-mile Central Corridor LRT in downtown Denver at the Broadway station. At I-25 and Broadway, the Southeast Corridor LRT also will connect with RTD’s 8.7-mile Southwest Corridor LRT. Ridership on the Southeast Corridor project is estimated at 38,100 average weekday boardings, including 12,900 new riders.
The RTD and FTA entered into a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) on November 17, 2000, which committed $525 million in Federal funds to the project. Service on the Southeast Corridor project is expected to begin by June 30, 2008.
An FFGA is the federal government’s commitment to support a transit project over the course of several fiscal years, contingent upon the availability of funds. As funds are appropriated, the full funding projects receive priority consideration.
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