FTA 28-02
Friday, September 27, 2002
Contact: Gail Taylor
Tel.: (202)
366-4043
DOT Announces $27.7Million Grant to Bi-State Development Agency in St. Louis,
MO
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today
announced a $27.7 million grant in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds to
the Bi-State Development Agency for the MetroLink light rail extension project.
“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 Bi-State provide safe and
reliable transit services to the residents of St. Clair County and surrounding
areas.”
The grant awarded today, in the amount of $27,720,366, will
be used to extend the MetroLink light rail system approximately 17 miles from
the existing Fifth and Missouri station in East St. Louis, IL through
Belleville, IL to Belleville Area College.
The project includes eight new stations (seven with park and ride lots),
20 new light rail vehicles, and a new maintenance facility in East St. Louis.
FTA entered into a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the Bi-State Development Agency in October 1996, committing $243,930,961 in federal funds for this project. The total amount of federal funds under the FFGA provided to date, including today’s grant, is $240,562,905. The total project cost is $339,169,856, of which the St. Clair County Transit District will provide $95,238,895 in local funds from a ¾-cent county sales tax and interim gap financing.
# # #