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FTA 46-03
Contact: Kristi Clemens
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Tel.: (202) 366-4040
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $39 Million for Expanded Bus Service and Transit Enhancements in Five Alabama Communities
Residents in Birmingham, Florence, Mobile,
Montgomery and Tuscaloosa will benefit from expanded bus service and transit
facility enhancements as a result of eight grants totaling $39 million announced
today by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.
“President Bush and I remain committed to building a safe, secure and
reliable transportation system that operates efficiently, strengthens the
economy and improves our quality of life,” said Secretary Mineta. “These
investments will allow even more Alabama residents and tourists to enjoy the
many benefits of public transportation, including increased community mobility,
reduced traffic congestion and protection of the environment.”
Senator Richard C. Shelby added, “I am pleased to work with my colleagues
in Congress and with the Department of Transportation to secure these important
funds for projects throughout the state of Alabama.”
Grants totaling $39,399,745 will support the following bus and transit
enhancements:
* A $2,972,013 grant to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority for
the Job Access and Reverse Commute program. This program provides
transportation and employment related services for low income Alabama residents
seeking to access regional job centers, job-training programs and educational
facilities.
* Another $2,970,373 grant to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority
will be used to buy 19 35-foot replacement buses and associated capital
maintenance items. The buses will help support expanded transit services,
including the system’s popular late night and Saturday service.
* In addition, a $1,127,786 grant to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit
Authority will pay for for the completion of an alternatives analysis study in
the Birmingham Downtown Street Car Corridor, the I-65 Bus Rapid Transit Corridor
and the U.S. 280 Bus Rapid Transit Corridor. The study will focus on the
preparation of the environmental documents to comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act, and will further define the potential alignments
within the priority corridors.
* A $5,175,923 grant to the University of North Alabama for the design and
construction of a transit administrative and maintenance facility and transit
enhancements on the university’s campus in Florence.
* A $4,950,860 grant to the University of South Alabama for the creation of a
campus transit system for students, employees and the general public in the
Mobile area. These funds will be used to buy 10 shuttle buses, one handicapped
shuttle vehicle, a support vehicle, computer hardware and software, bus stop
shelters, route and parking signs, and traffic control devices.
* A $10,859,424 grant to the city of Montgomery for the design and construction
of the Montgomery Union Station/Moulton Street Intermodal Facility. The
facility will serve as the transfer center for the Montgomery Area Transit
System buses and will provide parking for transit users.
* A $1,935,375 grant to the Tuscaloosa County Parking and Transit Authority (TCPTA)
for the design/engineering for the Tuscaloosa Intermodal Center. The center
will become the main terminal for the TCPTA, with all fixed-routes originating
from the terminal.
* A $9,407,991 grant to the University of Alabama for design and construction of
the Tuscaloosa Interdisciplinary Science Building Parking and Intermodal
Facility. The facility will serve as a transfer point for TCPTA routes that
serve the university campus, and will include “park-and-ride” facilities for
campus transit riders.
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