The Federal Transportation Administration announced ratings for six projects that are seeking funding from the Capital Investment Grants program, which have helped communities with high-profile transit projects.
The new ratings will help the agency award the grants that will expand or build new transit systems, according to a release on Jan. 20. CIG funds has been involved with more than 150 transit projects that include heavy rail, commuter rail and light rail, streetcar, and bus-rapid transit.
"Well-planned, large public transportation projects can transform lives and entire regions by reducing commute times, increasing safety, opening economic opportunities, reducing emissions, and making travel more affordable – and thanks to President Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law, we can help more communities deliver these benefits," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
According to the release, the infrastructure law provides up to $23 billion over the next five years for transit expansion projects. This is more than double what is currently funded. The transit projects are intended to expand job, school and health care access.
The release said that project ratings are needed to be made multiple times a year in the a multi-step process. Projects need a “medium” or better rating to be eligible for funding. Ratings are based on “statutorily-defined project justification and local financial commitment criteria.”
Receiving a “high rating” was the RapidRide Roosevelt J Line BRT in Seattle.
Receiving a “medium-high” rating was the Hudson Tunnels Commuter Rail project of Secaucus, N.J. and New York; the ART North South Corridor BRT in San Antonio and the RapidRide I Line BRT in Seattle.
The Innovation Corridor BRT in Memphis received a “medium” rating and the UTA Mid-Valley Connector BRT in Salt Lake City, Utah was given a rating of “medium-low.”
