FTA 22-02
Tuesday, July 02, 2002  
Contact:  Gail Taylor        
Tel.:       (202) 366-4043

Federal Transit Administrator Awards $56.9 Million To Chicago for Transit

Federal Transit Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn, joined by Rep. Mark Kirk and Metra and Chicago Transit Authority officials, today announced $56.9 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds for Metra Commuter Rail and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).  

Announcing the grant at the Olgivie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago, FTA Administrator Dorn said, “President Bush has proposed $7.2 billion for the Federal Transit Program as part of the FY 2003 budget, further reinforcing this Administration’s commitment to public transportation as a strategic investment.”  

CTA will receive $2.5 million to purchase up to five articulated buses to be used throughout the transit authority’s service system and Metra will use $54,450,720 to fund improvements to its Union Pacific West, South West Corridor and North Central lines.  

• The Union Pacific West Line will receive $16,390,400 to extend service further west to Elburn, IL, and for right-of-way improvements, two new stations, commuter parking and the construction of a commuter train storage yard at Elburn. 
• The South West Line will receive $20,641,120 to extend service to Manhattan, IL, and for right-of-way improvements, two new stations, commuter parking and new rail cars.
• The North Central Line will receive $17,419,200 for improvements, such as the addition of a second track, on portions of the Wisconsin Central Ltd; track, signal and station upgrades on the Milwaukee-West Line, five new stations, additional parking at existing stations and rail yard expansion.

Metra’s grant is part of a Full Funding Grant Agreement signed in November 2001, which, over a period of several years, will provide $319.1 million for the three extensions.  A full funding grant agreement 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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Briefing Room