FTA 24-02
Wednesday, August 21, 2002
Contact: Drucella Andersen
Tel.: 202-366-4040
Mineta Announces Approval of Final Design
Activity For Seattle Light Rail
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today approved advancement of the Seattle Central Link Light Rail project
into the final design stage of development.
Secretary Mineta also announced approval of Sound
Transit’s grant application for $49.5 million in transit new start funds for
work in the final design phase. These funds will be made
available to Sound Transit for eligible and approved final design
activities. These funds were
appropriated by Congress in the fiscal year 2001 Transportation Appropriations
Act.
“One
of the first issues I faced at the Department of Transportation was the Central
Link Light Rail in Seattle,” Secretary Mineta said. “I am pleased to see that since that time the Congressional
delegation in the Seattle region has worked long and hard with all parties to
bring the Central Link Light Rail to this approval, furthering our mutual goals
to address the serious mobility and congestion challenges facing the region.”
Final design is the last stage of development of a public
transportation project. It includes
activities such as the preparation of final construction plans, detailed
specifications and cost estimates, bid documents and real estate acquisition.
Approval for entry into the final design phase is based on a careful and
thorough review and evaluation of the project costs and benefits under the
criteria established in the law.
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