Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Stimulus Funding for PA II: Transportation

For ease of reading I am combining six separate emails into one blog post:

* Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will receive $9.4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds for the renovation of the Elizabethtown Train Station. “By reinvesting in our nation’s transit infrastructure, we are making our communities more livable, invigorating the local economy, and putting America back to work,” Secretary LaHood said. The funds, awarded in two separate grants in the amounts of $8 million and $1.4 million, will be used to renovate the vacant train station to serve passengers traveling on the AMTRAK-operated Keystone Corridor service from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. The renovation will include painting, lighting, plumbing, installation of windows and doors, heating and air conditioning, and electrical upgrades. Also, improved and increased parking facilities will include areas for taxi and bus pick-up and drop-off areas, improved area landscaping and storm drainage management, and bicycle racks. ADA-compliant full-length high-level boarding platforms and ADA-compliant access to other station facilities will accommodate Persons with Disabilities. Improved outside lighting and signage will also be installed. The ARRA, signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009, includes $8.4 billion for transit capital improvements. These funds are made available through the Federal Transit Administration assistance programs.

Other project funding announced today by LaHood:

* the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will receive $1.7 Million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to improve transit in the State College, Pa. urbanized area. These funds will be used to rebuild approximately four 35-foot and six 40-foot buses.

* the Luzerne County Transportation Authority will receive $3.1 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to improve transit in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Penn. area. The funds will buy five hybrid electric buses and bike racks, which will cut down on pollutions and provide commuters with alternatives to driving. The funds will also provide for enhanced security and communications.

* the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will receive two grants, one for $62.9 million and a second for $65.7 Million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds for several capital, rail and station improvements in the Philadelphia area. The first grant of $62.9 million will be used to make computer-based train control upgrades, make station improvements, and replace 40 aging buses with new hybrid buses. The buses will not only offer commuters a smoother ride but will also cut down on pollution in the city. The second grant of $65.7 million will pay for fixed guideway rail and station improvement projects.

* that the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will receive $62.9 Million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds for several capital projects. The funds will be used to purchase 40 replacement hybrid buses, make station improvements and for Computer Based Train Control upgrades. The buses will not only offer commuters a smoother ride but will also cut down on pollution in the city.

* the Centre Area Transportation Authority will receive $1.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funds to rebuild city buses. CATA plans to rebuild as many as ten buses—four 35-foot and six 40-foot vehicles—with the funds being approved in this grant. The rebuilding will be completed one bus at a time until all funds are spent.

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