FTA 22-03
Friday, May 16, 2003
Contact: Kristi
Clemens
Tel.: (202) 366-4043
U.S. Department of Transportation Awards $59 Million to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for Extension of the Blue Line
U.S. Secretary of
Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today announced a grant of $59,014,944 to the
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for the Blue Line
extension to the Largo Town Center in Largo, MD.
“The Blue Line extension
to Largo Town Center will be the first Metrorail segment to extend beyond the
Beltway in Prince Georges County,” said Secretary Mineta.
“This grant represents the Bush Administration’s commitment to
transportation as a strategic investment that strengthens the economy, protects
the environment and maximizes the freedom of mobility for all Americans.”
U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes, WMATA Board Member Decatur
Trotter, and Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson joined Federal
Transit Administrator Jennifer Dorn for a ceremonial check presentation in
Largo, MD.
“The FTA is pleased to partner with WMATA to provide
common sense transit solutions to residents in and around the Largo
community,” said Administrator Dorn. “This
extension of the Blue Line will allow even more people to experience the many
benefits of public transportation, including a healthier economy, increased
community mobility, reduced congestion, energy conservation, and protection of
the environment.”
The Largo extension is a
3.1-mile extension of the Blue Line Metrorail from the existing Addison Road
Station to Largo Town Center. The
extension includes two new transit stations—Summerfield, which is at the
mid-point of the alignment, and Largo Town Center, which is at the new terminus.
The opening of the extension is projected for December 2004.
The total project cost under the current proposed Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) is $433.8 million, with a federal share of $260.3 million. This grant provides the third increment of federal funding. A FFGA is the federal government’s commitment to support a transit project over the course of several years, contingent upon the availability of funds. As funds are appropriated, the full funding projects receive priority consideration.
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