FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 30, 2000
Contact: Gail Taylor
Tel.: (202) 366-4043
FTA 17-00
U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater
Announces $1.3 Million in Grants to Arkansas
For Public Transportation Improvements
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater today announced $1.3 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding in the state of Arkansas as he toured the newly opened River Rail Travel Center in Little Rock, Ark.
“Mass transit is a key to rebuilding our cities and will help advance President Clinton and Vice President Gore’s livability agenda to help communities across America grow in ways that ensure a high quality of life and strong, sustainable economic growth,” Secretary Slater said.
In a ceremonial check presentation, Secretary Slater awarded Little Rock $992,550 to purchase rail cars, preliminary engineering and final design costs for the Little Rock River Rail project. When complete, the River Rail project will operate as a short downtown circulator designed to serve persons who are already in the Central Business Districts of Little Rock and North Little Rock. The service will connect major activity centers in downtown Little Rock and will help restore retail and entertainment vitality to the area.
In addition to the funds awarded to Little Rock, Secretary Slater awarded the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department $332,000 for preliminary engineering for a transit safety and preventive maintenance training facility. This training and resource center will support safety, FTA and the Department of Transportation’s highest transportation priority, and other safety-related programs required to meet the needs of transit within the state of Arkansas.
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