Crossroads station, Buffalo, New York. --The Committee directs that

funds provided in the fiscal year 1996 Department of Transportation and

Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Crossroads Station in Buffalo,

New York not be reallocated.

Galveston, Texas. --The Committee directs that $2,000,000 provided

in the fiscal year 1998 Department of Transportation and Related

Agencies Appropriations Act for alternatively fueled vehicles for

Galveston, Texas shall also be made available for an alternative fueling

station, downtown multimodal transportation terminal and eligible costs

of contracting out to private sector transportation providers.

Honolulu, Hawaii. --The Committee directs that $3,970,000 provided

in the fiscal year 1996 Department of Transportation and Related

Agencies Appropriations Act for the Kaukini medical center parking

facility be reprogrammed for Honolulu buses and bus facilities.

Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. --Funds provided in the fiscal year

1998 Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Act for

Lackawanna County paratransit vans shall be available for an intermodal

bus facility in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.

Nashville, Tennessee. --Funds provided in the fiscal year 1996

Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for

electric buses in Nashville, Tennessee shall be available to the state

of Tennessee for alternate fueled buses and bus facilities.

Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana. --The Committee directs that funds

provided in the fiscal year 1997 Department of Transportation and

Related Agencies Appropriations Act for an intermodal facility in Saint

Bernard Parish, Louisiana be available for buses and bus facilities.

State of Colorado. --The Committee has provided $2,000,000 to the

state of Colorado for buses and bus-related facilities. Within the funds

provided, $1,000,000 shall be made available to Colorado Springs.

State of Tennessee. --Of the funds allocated to the state of

Tennessee, $1,000,000 shall be for the city of Chattanooga for

alternatively fueled buses.

State of Wisconsin. --The Committee recommendation includes

$7,000,000 for the state of Wisconsin to be distributed as follows:

$3,050,000 for Appleton, Green Bay, Shawano, Menominee Tribe, and Oneida

Tribe; $1,600,000 for La Crosse, Onalaska, Prairie Du Chien, Rice Lake,

Viroqua and Ho Chunk Nation; and $350,000 for Ashland, Chippewa Falls,

Eau Claire, Ladysmith, Marshfield, Rhinelander, Rusk County, Stevens

Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids; $1,000,000 for Milwaukee intermodal

facility rehabilitation; and $1,000,000 for the Waukesha transit center.

FIXED GUIDEWAY MODERNIZATION

The accompanying bill provides $902,800,000 from the capital

investment grants program to modernize existing rail transit systems.

These funds are to be distributed, consistent with the provisions of

TEA21, as follows:

SECTION 5309 FIXED GUIDEWAY MODERNIZATION APPORTIONMENTS

State FY 1998 FY 1999 Change from FY 1998

Arizona $887,899 $1,240,236 +$352,337

California 72,836,728 83,594,745 +10,758,017

Colorado 869,435 1,132,463 +263,028

Connecticut 32,975,909 34,548,995 +1,573,086

Delaware 420,810 661,223 +240,413

District of Columbia 22,127,637 28,912,935 +6,785,298

Florida 7,057,834 11,206,655 +4,148,821

Georgia 9,555,673 15,834,034 +6,278,361

Hawaii 337,024 498,050 +161,026

Illinois 100,666,023 108,868,175 +8,202,152

Indiana 6,756,902 7,307,446 +550,544

Louisiana 2,181,084 2,648,872 +467,788

Maryland 16,936,445 21,397,326 +4,460,881

Massachusetts 54,563,411 59,250,813 +4,687,402

Michigan 190,384 361,728 +171,344

Minnesota 2,025,018 2,694,403 +669,385

Missouri 1,395,477 1,695,212 +299,735

New Jersey 75,300,227 81,197,462 +5,897,236

New York 272,525,983 300,062,837 +27,536,854

Ohio 13,446,302 14,775,328 +1,329,026

Oregon 1,462,315 2,483,658 +1,021,343

Pennsylvania 88,526,900 94,063,790 +5,536,889

Puerto Rico 812,274 1,468,302 +656,028

Rhode Island 1,173,919 1,833,110 +659,191

Tennessee 36,803 47,600 +10,797

Texas 3,182,516 4,607,963 +1,425,447

Virginia 464,097 504,285 +40,188

Washington 8,374,586 12,613,895 +4,239,309

Wisconsin 322,940 517,458 +194,518

-------------- -------------- ---------------------

Subtotal 797,412,555 896,029,000 +98,616,445

Oversight 2,587,445 6,771,000 +4,183,555

-------------- -------------- ---------------------

Total Authority 800,000,000 902,800,000 +102,800,000

New Starts

The accompanying bill provides $902,800,000 of new authority for new

starts. These funds are available for preliminary engineering,

right-of-way acquisition, project management, oversight, and

construction of new systems and extensions. TEA21 requires that no more

than eight percent of the funding provided for new starts be available

for preliminary engineering and design activities. The funds are to be

distributed as follows:

Project

Amount

Alaska or Hawaii ferry projects $10,400,000

Atlanta North Springs project 52,110,000

Austin Capital metro project 1,000,000

Canton-Akron-Cleveland commuter rail project 3,000,000

Charlotte, North Carolina North-South corridor transitway project 2,000,000

Chicago Metra commuter rail extensions and upgrades 4,000,000

Chicago Transit Authority Ravenswood line project 2,000,000

Clark County, Nevada fixed guideway project 4,000,000

Cleveland Berea Red Line extension to the Hopkins International Airport 1,000,000

Cleveland Euclid corridor improvement project 2,000,000

Dallas-Fort Worth RAILTRAN project 10,698,000

DART North Central light rail extension project 8,000,000

Dayton, Ohio light rail study 1,000,000

Denver Southwest Corridor project 40,000,000

Dulles corridor project 17,000,000

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Tri-County commuter rail project 4,000,000

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania capital area transit/corridor one project 500,000

Houston advanced transit program 2,000,000

Houston Regional Bus project 59,670,000

Johnson City, Kansas I 35 commuter rail project 1,000,000

Knoxville, Tennessee electric transit project 1,500,000

Los Angeles MOS 3 project 46,000,000

MARC commuter rail project 17,041,000

Maryland Route 5 corridor project 1,500,000

Memphis, Tennessee Medical Center rail extension project 2,200,000

Miami Metro-Dade Transit east-west corridor project 3,000,000

Miami Metro-Dade North 27th Avenue corridor project 1,000,000

Mission Valley East light rail transit project 2,000,000

Nashville, Tennessee regional commuter rail project 500,000

New Jersey urban core Hudson-Bergen LRT project 70,000,000

New Orleans Canal Street corridor project 43,000,000

New Orleans Desire Streetcar project 2,000,000

Norfolk-Virginia Beach regional rail project 2,000,000

Northern Indiana South Shore commuter rail project 2,000,000

Oceanside-Escondido light rail project 5,500,000

Orange County, California transitway project 4,000,000

Orlando Lynx light rail project 17,500,000

Philadelphia-Reading SEPTA Schuykill Valley Metro project 2,000,000

Philadelphia SEPTA Cross County Metro project 1,000,000

Phoenix metropolitan area transit project 8,000,000

Pittsburgh Allegheny County busway and light rail projects 3,000,000

Portland-Westside/Hillsboro and South-North light rail projects 25,718,000

Puget Sound RTA Link light rail project 1,000,000

Puget Sound RTA Sounder commuter rail project 19,500,000

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle Transit project 8,000,000

Sacramento south corridor LRT project 23,480,000

Salt Lake City South LRT project 70,000,000

Salt Lake City/Airport to University (West-East) light rail project 3,000,000

San Bernardino Metrolink extension project 2,000,000

San Diego Mid-Coast corridor project 3,000,000

San Francisco BART extension to the airport project 74,000,000

San Jacinto-Branch Line (Riverside County) project 500,000

San Jose Tasman LRT project 35,000,000

San Juan Tren Urbano 60,000,000

South Boston Piers MOS 2 project 53,983,000

South Dekalb-Lindbergh corridor LRT project 1,000,000

Spokane, Washington light rail project 1,000,000

St Louis-St. Clair LRT extension project 35,000,000

Tampa Bay regional rail project 500,000

Twin Cities transitways project 22,000,000

Virginia Rail Express Fredericksburg to Washington commuter rail project 2,000,000

West Trenton, New Jersey rail project 1,000,000

Whitehall ferry terminal project 1,000,000

Project Descriptions

Alaska or Hawaii ferry projects. --The Committee recommends

$10,400,000 for Alaska or Hawaii ferry projects. Section 3009 of TEA21

authorizes $10,400,000 of new starts funds to be made available each

year for capital ferry projects in Alaska and Hawaii. Eligible purposes

include new fixed guideway systems such as ferryboats, extensions to

existing systems, ferry terminal facilities, and approaches to ferry

terminal facilities.

Atlanta North Springs project. --The Committee recommends

$52,110,000 for the Atlanta North Springs project. This 1.9-mile,

two-station extension from the Dunwoody Station to North Springs is part

of the larger 9-mile, five-station North Line extension to the MARTA

heavy rail rapid transit system. The segment from Buckhead to Dunwoody

opened in June 1996. The North Line extension will serve the rapidly

growing area north of Atlanta, and will connect this area with the rest

of the region by providing better transit service for both commuters and

inner-city residents. The local share commitment for the federally

funded portion of this extension is 20 percent. The cost-effectiveness

index is $5 per new passenger trip. FTA has determined that the grantee

has the financial capacity to build and operate this project. An FFGA

for the Dunwoody to North Springs segment was issued in December 1994

which fulfilled the requirements of section 3035(tt) of ISTEA. The FFGA

provides for $305,010,400 in section 5309 funds. The current cost

estimate for the project totals $487,700,000. The sum of $208,146,866

has been made available in appropriated funds through fiscal year 1998.

This includes $28,370,000 in prior-year deobligated funds.

Austin Capital Metro. --The Committee recommends $1,000,000 for

Austin Capitol Metro for preliminary engineering for the proposed light

rail project in north Austin, Texas, to serve the central business

district, the State capitol, and the rapidly growing population and

employment centers of the city. Capital Metro and the Texas Department

of Transportation have recently completed a major investment study in

March 1997 which identifies a 30-mile LRT as the locally preferred

alternative. The initial cost estimate totals $182,300,000.

Canton-Akron-Cleveland commuter rail project.-- The Northeast Ohio

Areawide Coordinating Agency, the local metropolitan planning

organization (MPO), is conducting a major investment study (MIS) to

examine the feasibility of establishing commuter rail service to link

the areas within the Northeast Corridor of the Canton-Akron-Cleveland

(CAC) areas. In anticipation of future transportation needs in the CAC

corridor, Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority has acquired several

parcels of abandoned rail right of way in the region. The study will

consider the existing and proposed land use patterns and impacts,

preliminary ridership estimates, preliminary cost estimates, assessment

of economic and environmental implications, and analysis of several

commuter rail alternatives. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has

appropriated $2.8 million for this effort. For fiscal year 1999, the

Committee recommends $3,000,000.

Charlotte, North Carolina, north-south corridor transitway project.

--The Committee recommends $2,000,000 for the Charlotte, North Carolina,

north-south corridor transitway project. The city of Charlotte, in

cooperation with the North Carolina Department of transportation, is

conducting an MIS to explore the feasibility of constructing a buy-only

rapid transit system with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County area. The

South Corridor Transitway extends 13.5 miles from the Uptown Charlotte

Transportation Center to Interstate 485 near Pineville, NC. The total

estimated cost for the transitway is $250,000,000. The corridor is

included in the Mecklenburg-Union Metropolitan Planning Organization's

2015 long-range plan. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has

appropriated $1,000,000 for this effort.

Chicago Metra extensions and upgrades. --The Committee recommends

$4,000,000 for three Chicago Metra extensions and upgrades: (1) double

tracking the north-central corridor line, which was inaugurated in

August 1998 and has already exceeded ridership projections. The line

runs along Wisconsin Central Railroad line from Antioch and Franklin

Park to downtown Chicago; (2) extending the southwest corridor, which

runs on Norfolk Southern Railroad line from Orland Park to Chicago's

Southwest Side; and extending the system's service westward into Kane

County, a rapidly growing suburban area with high employment growth,

Metra is the country's second largest commuter rail serving a population

base of over 7,500,000.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Ravenswood line. --The Committee

recommends $2,000,000 for capacity expansion of the Chicago Ravenswood

light rail system. The Ravenswood line carries approximately 105,000

people daily. The area is experiencing rapid growth in ridership, and

increased capacity is required to handle this growth. The funds provided

will allow CTA to complete the major investment study and related

environmental reviews for the capacity expansion project. CTA plans to

lengthen existing platforms in order to accommodate trainsets of eight

cars in length.

Clark County, Nevada, fixed guideway. --The Committee recommends

$4,000,000 for preliminary engineering and design for a proposed fixed

guideway system in the Las Vegas, NV, resort corridor. There are two

major components to the proposed fixed guideway system: a 18.4-mile core

system running south from Cashman Field to the Stratosphere Tower, then

branching out along Sahara Avenue and paralleling Las Vegas Boulevard

south behind the valley's resorts. In addition, an extension to McCarran

International Airport is planned. The regional transportation commission

has requested FTA approval to enter preliminary engineering for phase I

of the Las Vegas corridor. The initial cost estimate for this project is

between $2,100,000,000 and $2,300,000,000. The local financial

commitment for this project is 55 percent. Through fiscal year 1998,

Congress has made available $4,983,828 in appropriated funds for this

project.

Cleveland Berea Red Line extension to the Hopkins International

Airport. --The Committee recommends $1,000,000 for a major investment

study to determine transportation options to provide a direct link

between downtown Cleveland, Hopkins International Airport, the

International Exposition Center, and Baldwin Wallace College. The

proposed Berea Rapid Transit extension, approximately 3 miles from the

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's airport station, is

directly aligned with the local transit operator's red line rapid rail

system. The MIS is also considering adequate walkup access and

park-and-ride facilities to encourage greater use of the red line light

rail transit system.

Cleveland Euclid corridor improvement project. --The Committee

recommends $2,000,000 for design and construction costs of the Greater

Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's 5.6-mile downtown corridor,

incorporating executive bus lanes and related capital improvements on

Euclid Avenue from Public Square in downtown Cleveland east to

University Circle. The proposed project is known as the Euclid corridor

improvement project [ECIP]. In addition, five stations along the

existing red line will be relocated in order to spur economic

development and improve access between the stations, surrounding

neighborhoods, and employment centers. In November 1995, the GCRTA Board

of Trustees selected the ECIP as the locally preferred alternative. The

total capital cost estimate for the ECIP is $332,500,000. Through fiscal

year 1998, Congress has appropriated $8,740,000.

Dallas-Fort Worth RAILTRAN project.-- The Committee recommends

$10,698,000 for the Fort Worth Railtran commuter rail and intermodal

transportation center project, which will provide a much needed commuter

rail link between Fort Worth and Dallas. Service between Dallas and

Arlington has already been initiated. These funds will allow Fort

Worth's connection to this service beginning in 2000, and complete the

Federal share of funding for the Railtran commuter rail project. Federal

funds are matched with 70 percent local and State participation.

DART north-central light rail extension project. --The Committee

recommends $8,000,000 for the Dallas-DART north-central light rail

extension project. This project is a 12.3-mile, eight-station,

$513,000,000 LRT extension to Plano. The southern 7.3 miles from Park

Lane to Richardson Transit Center, would be double tracked. The northern

5 miles will be double tracked as well. Dallas area rapid transit has

completed a major investment study and the preferred alternative was

selected in September 1994. The project is now in final design. The

local share commitment to this project is 35 percent. Through fiscal

year 1998, Congress has made available $27,332,867 in appropriated funds

for this project.

Dayton, Ohio light rail study.-- The Committee recommendation

includes an appropriation of $1,000,000 for a light rail feasibility

study in Dayton, Ohio. No previous appropriations have been provided.

Denver southwest corridor project. --The Committee recommends

$40,000,000 for the Denver southwest corridor light rail transit (LRT)

project. The total FFGA amount for the 8.7-mile LRT extension is

$120,000,000. The extension will connect with the existing Denver

central corridor light rail line from the I 25/Broadway interchange, and

run over an exclusive, grade-separated right-of-way paralleling Santa Fe

Drive, to Mineral Avenue in Littleton. This project is currently in the

final design. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has made available

$24,415,144 in appropriated funds for this project. An additional

$1,341,506 was made available from reprogrammed funds.

Dulles corridor, Virginia.-- The Virginia Department of Rail and

Public Transportation has completed a major investment study (MIS) which

evaluated several transportation options in the Dulles Corridor. The

corridor extends from the West Falls Church Metrorail station to the

Dulles International Airport and continues into Loudon County. There is

a significant level of existing local and express bus service in the

corridor. The MIS for the Dulles Corridor was completed in June 1997.

The Committee has provided $17,000,000 for fiscal year 1999.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Tri-County commuter rail project. --The

Committee recommends $4,000,000 for the Tri-County commuter rail

project. The Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority (Tri-Rail) operates a

71-mile commuter rail system connecting Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach

Counties. Tri-Rail's short-range program includes the addition of a

second track and rehabilitation of the signal system. These improvements

will reduce conflicts with Amtrak and CSX freight trains. The project is

in the final design state. The local share commitment to this project is

39 percent. The estimated total capital cost of the project is

$573,100,000. To date, Congress has appropriated $51,281,075 in section

5309 funds for Tri-Rail improvements.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, capital area transit/corridor one. --The

Committee recommends $500,000 for final design and preliminary

engineering costs associated with the development of a regional light

rail system in the Harrisburg, PA, metropolitan area in a corridor which

would ultimately link Lancaster to Carlisle via Harrisburg. The total

cost is estimated at $56,000,000 and would consist of an initial 12-mile

segment from Harrisburg Transportation Center to the Navy's

Mechanicsburg, PA, installation.

Houston advanced transit program. --The Metropolitan Transit

Authority of Harris County (Houston METRO) will initiate major

investment studies (MIS) on various elements of the advanced transit

program (ATP), previously the advanced regional bus plan. This program

has been incorporated in the region's metropolitan transportation plan.

The first study is the west loop major investment study METRO is

scheduled to begin this MIS of the west loop corridor during fiscal year

1998. The Interstate IH 610 Corridor examined in the MIS will be from

the Interstate (IH 10) Interchange on the north (with connections to the

Katy High Occupancy Vehicle Lane and Northwest Transit Center) to the

vicinity of Westpark Drive to the south. it is anticipated that this MIS

will take from six to nine months to complete. METRO will be working

closely with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to ensure

that any recommendation from the west loop MIS will be compatible with

their transportation systems management (TSM) improvements in the west

loop. METRO is scheduled to begin an MIS of the Westpark Corridor in

latter part of fiscal year 1998. The corridor examined in this MIS will

be from the Hillcroft Transit Center to the vicinity of Shepherd. Other

elements of the Houston advanced transit program include the proposed

expansion of the Northwest Station Park and Ride facilities and a major

investment analysis of alternative transportation infrastructure in the

city of Houston. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has appropriated

$1,000,000 for the advanced transit program. For fiscal year 1999, the

Committee recommends $2,000,000.

Houston regional bus project. --The Committee recommends $59,670,000

for the Houston regional bus project. The estimated total for the

project is $625,000,000. The plan, developed by Houston METRO, consists

of a package of major improvements to the region's existing bus system.

It includes major service expansions in most of the region, new and

extended HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) facilities and ramps, several

transit centers and park-and-ride lots, and supporting facilities. The

individual elements of the plan are in various stages of development,

from preliminary engineering to construction. An FFGA was issued for

this project on December 30, 1994, which fulfilled the requirements of

section 3035(uu) of ISTEA. A total of $378,257,998 has been made

available from appropriated funds for this project through fiscal year

1998.

Johnson County, Kansas, I 35 commuter rail project. --The Committee

recommends $1,000,000 for planning and design of a commuter rail project

along the railroad tracks that parallel Interstate 35, extending from

Johnson County into downtown Kansas City. I 35 cannot be widened and

proactive Kansas local governments, along with the support of business

groups, have identified commuter rail as the preferred option to avoid

traffic gridlock. No previous appropriations have been provided to this

project.

Knoxville, Tennessee electric transit project. --The Committee

recommends $1,500,000 for the Knoxville, Tennessee electric transit

project. This project is expected to provide a dedicated electric

trolley route around the periphery of the downtown area with stops at

entertainment venues and parking areas. No previous appropriations have

been provided for this project.

Laurel rail line project, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. --The

Committee has included bill language making available $500,000 for the

Laurel Rail Line project in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania from funds

previously appropriated in fiscal year 1998 for the Pennsylvania

Strawberry Hill/Diamond Branch rail project.

Los Angeles, MOS 3 project. --The 23-mile, $5,700,000,000 Metro Red

Line rail project is planned as ``minimum operable segments'' (MOSs) for

funding purposes. ISTEA defined MOS 3 to include three Metro Rail

extensions including the North Hollywood extension, the East Side

extension, and the Mid-City extension. TEA21 subsequently broadened the

range of options in the corridors. A full funding grant agreement has

been signed, committing $1,416,490,000 in funding. To date, Congress has

appropriated $571,727,000, including $61,500,000 in fiscal year 1998.

The Committee recommendation provides a total of $70,000,000 for

fiscal year 1999. This amount includes: (1) $38,000,000 in new

appropriations provided in this Act for construction of North Hollywood;

(2) $24,000,000 that had been allocated for the East Side in the fiscal

year 1998 Department of Transportation and Related Agencies

Appropriations Act to be available for North Hollywood construction in

fiscal year 1999; and (3) $8,000,000 in new appropriations for continued

development of transportation alternatives in the East Side and Mid-City

corridor.

In fiscal year 1998, the Committee directed that the funds

appropriated in that year shall be available only after (1) the LACMTA

produces a financially constrained rail recovery plan which complies

with the consent decree for enhanced bus service; (2) the FTA conducts a

final review and accepts the plans and certifies to the House and Senate

Committees on Appropriations that the fiscal management of the project

meets or exceeds accepted US government standards; (3) the General

Accounting Office and the department's Inspector General conduct an

independent analysis of the plans and provide such analysis to the House

and Senate Committees on Appropriations; (4) the House and Senate

Committees on Appropriations have concluded their review of the analysis

within sixty days of the transmittal of the analysis to the Committees;

and (5) after the FTA has re-negotiated parts 1A and 1B of the MOS 3

full funding grant agreement.

The LACMTA submitted its financially constrained recovery plan to the

FTA on May 15, 1998, and the FTA, the GAO and the IG have provided

informally their comments and observations on the recovery plan to the

Committee. While the plan does not meet fully the requirements set

forward in the conference agreement accompanying the fiscal year 1998

Department of Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,

the Committee acknowledges that the LACMTA has made significant progress

over the last several months and has promulgated a recovery plan that

indicates that the transit authority can complete construction of the

North Hollywood segment on schedule and near budget with funds that can

be reasonably anticipated to be available to the LACMTA. The Committee

notes that the recovery plan does not address heavy rail construction

planned for the East Side and Mid-City corridors as included in the full

funding grant agreement, and that, by allocating funds to North

Hollywood construction, operating deficits have not been addressed.

With these preliminary findings, the Committee directs that the FTA

release the $37,500,000 provided in the fiscal year 1998 Department of

Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for continuing

construction of the North Hollywood segment. For fiscal year 1999, the

Committee provides new appropriations of $38,000,000 for the North

Hollywood segment, together with the $24,000,000 provided in the fiscal

year 1998 Department of Transportation and Related Agencies

Appropriations Act. In total, $62,000,000 shall be available for North

Hollywood construction in fiscal year 1999. This level is consistent

with the levels assumed for fiscal year 1999 in the full funding grant

agreement for North Hollywood.

The Committee has provided $8,000,000 for further design, review and

development of transportation alternatives in the East Side and Mid-City

corridors. These funds shall not be available for construction of heavy

rail subway envisioned in parts 1B and 1C of the full funding grant

agreement.

The Committee is pleased with the new leadership at the LACMTA and is

encouraged by the actions taken by the Board over the last several

months. It is clear that the LACMTA is trying to address severe

financial difficulties that have impacted its rail and bus programs,

which are heavily supported by federal funds. While the LACMTA is making

steady progress, it still faces serious potential capital and operating

shortfalls that may impact its ability to meet the consent decree and

maintain the current level of service at existing fares. To obtain

information that will aid the Committee as it considers future federal

support for Los Angeles transportation programs, the Committee directs

the LACMTA to provide the FTA, the department's Inspector General, the

General Accounting Office, and the House and Senate Committees on

Appropriations a finance plan by February 1, 1999, and each year

thereafter. The plan shall identify (1) the status, cost, and funding

sources for completing the North Hollywood extension of the Red Line

subway project; (2) the status, cost, and funding sources of current and

planned activities (e.g., bus purchases) designed to comply with the bus

consent decree; (3) the cost and funding sources for operating

activities; and (4) the cost, schedule, and funding sources for projects

planned to address the transportation needs of those areas where planned

rail extensions have been suspended (e.g., Pasadena, East Side and

Mid-City). The Committee expects that the plan will also identify all

potential short- and long-term rail, bus, and highway program funding

shortfalls, as well as potential strategies and sources of funding for

addressing these shortfalls.

The Committee further expects that of the non-federal funding

available to the LACMTA, capital obligations necessary to complete the

construction of North Hollywood and to comply with the bus consent

decree shall be met first before any other financial obligations for

capital investments. The Committee further expects that the business

action plans identified in 1998 and 1999 to balance the LACMTA's budget

in those years shall be implemented and not be supplanted by funding

provided by this Act.

Maryland commuter rail [MARC].-- The Committee recommends

$17,041,000 for the MARC commuter rail project. Planned system

extensions would provide service to Washington, DC, from Frederick, MD.

The extension of MARC service to Frederick consists of a 13.5-mile line

which will operate on existing CSX transportation rail right-of-way. The

MARC program also includes new equipment and station improvements. The

local share commitment to this project is 20 percent. FTA has determined

that the grantee has the financial capacity to build and operate the

Frederick project, the new equipment, and make station improvements. An

FFGA was issued for the Frederick extension and capital improvement

projects in June 1995 for $105,251,373. To date, Congress has made

available $87,633,965 in appropriated funds for this project as well as

an additional $33,250,000 not included in the FFGA.

Maryland Route 5 corridor project. --The Committee recommendation

includes $1,500,000 for preliminary engineering and design for the

Maryland Route 5 corridor project. Maryland's Route 5 is one of the

major routes from Washington, D.C. to Waldorf, Maryland and other

southern points. No previous appropriations have been provided for this

project.

Memphis, TN, medical center rail project. --The Committee recommends

$2,200,000 for the Memphis Medical Center rail extension project. The

Memphis Area Transit Authority [MATA] currently operates the 2.2-mile

Main Street trolley, a vintage rail trolley line in downtown Memphis.

The Main Street trolley extension via the Riverfront loop was opened for

service in October 1997. This line serves existing and proposed

developments along the Mississippi River and connects with the Main

Street trolley, Central Station, and North End terminal. The funds

provided for the rail connection to the medical center will complete the

downtown rail circulation system. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has

made available $5,745,788 in appropriated funds for the Memphis regional

rail plan.

Miami Metro-Dade Transit east-west corridor. --The Committee

recommends $3,000,000 for the proposed heavy rail line linking the

suburban area southwest of Florida International University to Miami

International Airport [MIA], downtown Miami, and the Port of Miami

seaport. The locally preferred alternative includes an 11.2-mile minimum

operable segment of heavy rail running from the Palmetto Expressway to

the Port of Miami, with a spur from MIA to the Miami Intermodal Center.

Capital cost estimates for the project total $1,580,000,000. Preliminary

engineering and the final environmental impact statement are currently

being completed, and the funds provided in this bill will allow the

Florida Department of Transportation to begin construction activities.

Miami Metro-Dade North 27th Avenue corridor project. --The

Metro-Dade Transit Agency (MDTA) is considering rail, busway and bus

operations for improving transportation in the 9.5 mile N.W. 27th Avenue

corridor. One alternative is an elevated heavy rail line which would

operate in full integration with stage 1 metrorail, connect with major

regional educational and sports facilities, and terminate at the

Dade/Broward county line. The preliminary capital cost of the rail

alternative is $453 $463 million. This includes final design,

right-of-way and rolling stock acquisition. To date, Congress has

appropriated $8,940,000 for this project. For fiscal year 1999, the

Committee recommends $1,000,000.

Mission Valley East light rail transit project. --The Metropolitan

Transit Development Board (MTDB) is planning to build a 5.9 mile Mission

Valley East light rail transit (LRT) extension from east of Interstate

15 to the City of La Mesa, California, where it would connect to the

existing East LRT line, now referred to as the Orange Line, near

Baltimore Drive. The line would serve four new stations at Grantville,

San Diego State University, Alvardo Medical Center, and 70th Street, and

would include elevated, at-grade, and tunnel portions. The project will

provide two park-and-ride lots and a new access road between Warning

Road and Grantville Station. The total project capital costs equal

$332,000,000. The project is expected to serve approximately 10,800

daily riders in the corridor by 2015, and 2.5 million new systemwide

annual transit trips. It is anticipated that the project's final

environmental impact statement can be certified and the design and

engineering phase initiated in fiscal year 1998. Through fiscal year

1998, Congress has appropriated $1,000,000 for this project. The

Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,000,000 in fiscal year 1999.

Nashville, Tennessee regional commuter rail. --The Committee

recommends $500,000 for feasibility studies, a major investment study,

and preliminary engineering on a commuter rail service connecting the

downtown Nashville area with other areas in the Southeast region of the

United States. The proposed commuter rail system would incorporate

approximately five existing rail lines, and would be phased in over a

20-year period, with a mutual terminus in downtown Nashville. No

previous appropriations have been provided for this project.

New Jersey urban core Hudson-Bergen project. --The Committee

recommends $70,000,000 for the New Jersey urban core

project-Hudson-Bergen light rail line. The urban core project consists

of a number of rail improvements designed to improve mobility in

northern New Jersey, and consists of the following segments: Secaucus

transfer; Kearney connection; Northeast corridor signal system:

improvements to New York Penn Station; Hudson-Bergen LRT; and

Newark-Newark International Airport-Elizabeth transit link, which also

includes a rail connection between the Penn and Broad Street Stations in

Newark. The local financial commitment is accounted for through the

ISTEA toll revenue credit provision. ISTEA earmarked $634,400,000 for

the entire urban core program of projects. The Hudson-Bergen project is

a 20.1-mile, 33-station at-grade LRT line from the Vince Lombardi

park-and-ride lot through Hoboken and Jersey City to Route 440 in

southwest Jersey City and 34th Street in Bayonne. The 9.6-mile initial

operating segment is now under construction.

New Orleans Canal Street corridor project. --The Regional Transit

Authority is developing a 4.7-mile streetcar project in downtown New

Orleans. The Canal Streetcar Spine would extend along the median of

Canal Street from the Canal Ferry at the Mississippi River in the

central business district, through the Mid-City neighborhood, to two

outer termini at the Cemeteries and City Park/Beauregard Circle. The

capital cost is estimated to be $136.4 million. The record of decision

for the project was issued by FTA on August 28, 1997. In September 1997,

the FTA approved the initiation of final design. Through fiscal year

1998, Congress has appropriated $32,360,000 for the project. The

Committee recommendation includes an appropriation of $43,000,000 for

the project in fiscal year 1999.

New Orleans Desire Streetcar project. --The Regional Transit

Authority will begin a major investment study to consider transportation

alternatives in a half mile area of downtown New Orleans from North

Rampart Street/St. Claude Avenue on the north and the Mississippi River

on the south. The corridor contains densely developed residential areas,

the F. Edward Hebert Defense Complex which is home to the U.S. Navy

Support Activity Center, the French Quarter (Vieux Carre), and two other

historic neighborhoods (Faubourg Marigny and Bywater). The alternatives

that are being studied include a streetcar (build) alternative, a

transportation management alternative, and a no build alternative in

terms of providing improved transit service to the corridor. Through

fiscal year 1998, Congress has appropriated $2,000,000 for the project.

The Committee recommendation includes an appropriation of $2,000,000 for

the project.

Norfolk-Virginia Beach regional rail project. --The Tidewater

Transportation District Commission (TTDC) is planning an 18.25-mile

light rail transit (LRT) line from the oceanfront area in Virginia Beach

to downtown Norfolk. The proposed LRT alignment generally follows the

Norfolk-Southern right-of-way. TTDC estimates that the LRT will cost

$376,500,000 to construct, and will carry 33,000 to 39,000 daily riders

in the year 2010. The Norfolk-Virginia Beach Corridor has been and

continues to be an area of significant growth in the Hampton Roads

region. TTDC has completed a major investment study to evaluate

transit/transportation improvements in the 30-mile corridor extending

from Virginia Beach to downtown Norfolk and the Norfolk Naval Base. TTDC

selected the light rail transit alternative for the 18.25 mile segment

from Virginia Beach to downtown Norfolk as the locally preferred

alternative. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has appropriated

$1,990,000 for this project. For fiscal year 1999, the Committee

recommends $2,000,000 for the project.

Northern Indiana South Shore commuter rail extension. --The

Committee recommends $2,000,000 for the Northern Indiana South Shore

commuter rail extension project. The Northern Indiana Commuter

Transportation District [NICTD] operates the South Shore Line passenger

service between South Bend, IN, and the Randolph Street Station in

Chicago, IL. In order to meet the growing demand for commuter rail

service in northern Indiana, appropriated funds to be matched with local

funds, will be used for the purchase of additional passenger train cars.

This effort is currently in the system planning study phase. Through

fiscal year 1998, Congress has made available $4,483,573 in appropriated

funds. The Committee has provided funding to the South Shore commuter

rail line to assist with the acquisition of an eight-car train set.

North Shore corridor. --The Committee understands that the

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) believes that a

comprehensive analysis of transportation alternatives for the North

Shore area is warranted. This major investment study would evaluate in

accordance with FTA procedures and requirements a variety of mass

transit improvements for the North Shore including improved commuter

rail service in the corridor and the extension of the Blue Line of

MBTA's rapid transit service to Beverly, Massachusetts. Due to budget

constraints, the Committee has not included discretionary funds for this

purpose, but believes that such a study may be beneficial and that the

MBTA may utilize its federal transit formula funds to conduct such a

study.

Oceanside-Escondido light rail project. --The North County Transit

District (NCTD) is the lead agency planning the conversion of an

existing 22-mile freight rail corridor into a light rail transit system

running from the coastal city of Oceanside, through the cities of Vista,

San Marcos, and unincorporated portions of San Diego County, to the City

of Escondido. A proposed alignment will serve the California State

University San Marcos, including an additional 1.7 miles of new rail

right-of-way. The proposed rail system would serve fifteen stations,

four of these stations would be located at existing transit stations.

Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has appropriated $2,990,000 for the

project. For fiscal year 1999, the Committee recommends an appropriation

of $5,500,000.

Orange County, California transitway project. --The Orange County

Transportation Authority (OCTA) and the California Department of

Transportation (Caltrans) are currently completing a 108-mile system of

HOV lanes and developing an intermodal transportation network in Orange

County. Previous federal appropriations provided $23,325,000 for

construction of one element of Orange County's HOV lane system--the I

405/SR 55 transitway. OCTA will complete construction of the

$164,000,000 I 405/SR 55 transitway project and add express buses and

park-and-ride lots with local funds. OCTA is seeking continued federal

appropriations for the bus and rail transit elements of the Central

Orange County Transitway project for which the Committee has included

$4,000,000 in fiscal year 1999.

Orlando Lynx light rail project --The Committee recommends

$17,500,000 for the Orlando, Florida, Lynx light rail project. The

locally preferred alternative, selected in September 1995, includes

highway improvements along a 75-mile corridor and a light rail transit

(LRT) component along a 52-mile corridor at a capital cost of

$2,700,000,000. A 25-mile minimum operating segment of the LRT is

completing a preliminary engineering and draft impact statement

(PE/DIS). The proposed 26.8-mile, 27-station LRT project is estimated to

have a capital cost total of $878,800,000. Through fiscal year 1998,

Congress has made available $33,683,196 in appropriated funds for this

project.

Philadelphia-Reading SEPTA Schuylkill Valley Metro. --The Committee

recommends $2,000,000 for line engineering and initial construction on

the 62-mile commuter rail service to be instituted between Philadelphia

and Reading, Pennsylvania. The system plans to incorporate 28 stops. A

feasibility study for the Schuylkill Valley Metro has been completed,

and local funding of $5,000,000 has been approved to commence a major

investment study this summer.

Philadelphia SEPTA Cross County Metro. --The Committee recommends

$1,000,000 for the Cross County Metro corridor, which will extend

approximately 48 miles from Glenloch, Chester County, Pennsylvania, to

Morrisville, Bucks County, along Conrail's existing Trenton cutoff

freight rail-line. The project has received $2,400,000 in prior-year

funding for preliminary engineering and design, and the feasibility

study has been completed. A draft environmental impact statement is

scheduled for completion in June 1998. The funds provided in this act

are for further engineering and design work, and necessary right-of-way

improvements.

Phoenix metropolitan area transit project. --The Committee

recommends $8,000,000 for the Phoenix metropolitan area transit project.

In February 1997, the Maricopa Association of Governments Regional

Council adopted an 18-mile fixed guideway corridor into the region's

1997 long range transportation plan. This corridor links the high

employment cores along Central Avenue in Phoenix, and the downtowns of

Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. This corridor also serves Sky Harbor

International Airport, Arizona State University, three major sports

facilities, Tempe's Rio Salado development and residential

concentrations surrounding each end of the corridor. The Regional Public

Transit Authority in October 1996 initiated two major investment studies

to study transportation alternatives in the corridor. The first study,

the Central Phoenix/East Valley MIS, addressed alternative investment

strategies within the entire corridor. The second study, the Downtown

Tempe MIS, focused on a sub-area within the corridor, linking downtown

Tempe with Arizona State University, the Rio Salado development, and

surrounding commercial and residential concentrations. After

considerable analysis, it was concluded that the preliminary technology

and alignment for both studies were mutually compatible. As a result,

recommendations from the Downtown Tempe MIS and Central Phoenix/East

Valley MIS were combined for the final phase of analysis. Alternatives

under consideration include a light rail transit alignment linking

Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa; bus service improvements; and commuter rail

along the existing Union Pacific Railroad. The locally preferred

alternative (LPA) for the Tempe sub-area was approved by the Tempe City

Council in December 1997, and includes a three to four mile light rail

transit alignment. The LPA for the remainder of the Central Phoenix/East

Valley corridor was to be completed in February 1998. Through fiscal

year 1998, Congress has provided $4,000,000 for the project.

Pittsburgh-Allegheny County busway and light rail projects. --The

Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,000,000 for projects under

consideration by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

The Port of Allegheny County has begun environmental assessments and

preliminary engineering on a new 2.3-mile extension of the 6.8-mile

Martin Luther King, Jr. east busway, which was completed in 1983 and

carries 30,000 riders daily. The extension will serve the communities of

Edgewood, Swissvale, and Rankin, including park-and-ride lots, which the

current busway lacks. The Port Authority is also reconstructing the

Overbrook, Library, and Drake trolley lines in Allegheny County to

upgrade the line to light rail standards, in an effort to complete the

last twelve miles of a 25-mile rail system serving Pittsburgh's southern

suburbs. The Committee's recommendation permits the Port Authority of

Allegheny County to allocate the appropriation to the various projects

as it determines to be appropriate.

Portland Westside/Hillsboro LRT and South-North light rail

projects.-- The Committee recommends $25,718,000 for the Portland

Westside LRT project. Within the funds provided, not more than

$1,000,000 may be available for the South/North light rail project.

Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (Tri-Met) is

building a light rail transit extension from downtown Portland, west

through Beaverton, to a terminus in downtown Hillsboro. The total

estimated cost of the project is $963,522,674. In downtown Portland, the

17.7-mile extension will connect to the existing Banfield LRT line (MAX)

that operates between Portland and Gresham. In August 1997, 12 vehicles

went into service on the existing line. Construction is nearing

completion along the entire alignment. Tri-Met initiated revenue service

to the project's first stations in August 1997 with full service over

the entire line scheduled for September 1998. The local share commitment

to this project is 27 percent. The cost-effectiveness index is $12 per

new passenger trip. In September 1992, FTA and Tri-Met entered into a

full funding grant agreement (FFGA) for the 12-mile segment from

downtown Portland to 185th Avenue. The section 5309 new start share for

this segment was $515,990,000. The FFGA was amended in 1994 to add the

6.2-mile Hillsboro extension, bringing the total section 5309 share to

$590,060,336. An additional $40,000,000 was added to the project in

fiscal year 1996. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has made available

$593,471,931 in appropriated new start funds.

Puget Sound RTA Link light rail. --The Committee recommends

$1,000,000 for preliminary engineering, environmental analyses, siting,

and design of stations and maintenance facilities, and development of

station area plans for the light rail component of the Puget Sound

regional transit system plan. The link light rail will complement the

sounder commuter rail system in the Tacoma to Everett Puget Sound

corridor. The light rail will run from Seattle-Tacoma International

Airport to Northgate, utilizing an already-built downtown Seattle

transit tunnel. A major investment study for the light rail project has

already been performed. Total costs of the link light rail project are

estimated to be $539,000,000.

Puget Sound RTA Sounder commuter rail project. --The Committee

recommends $19,500,000 for the Seattle-Tacoma-Sound Move light rail and

commuter rail project. The three-county Central Pudget Sound Regional

Transit Authority (RTA) Board has adopted a 10-year regional plan. The

estimated capital cost of the project is $3,068,000 and will cover

proposed transportation improvements, substantial commuter rail service

in the region principally between Seattle and Tacoma, as well as LRT,

and expanded bus service. A major investment study was completed in

March 1997. FTA approved the initiation of preliminary engineering for

the Central LRT project in August 1997. The draft environmental impact

statement (DEIS) is scheduled to be completed in fall 1998. The local

share commitment on the total project is 76 percent. FTA has rated both

the financial plan and the operating plan as medium-high. Through fiscal

year 1998, Congress has made available $20,920,851 in appropriated funds

for this project.

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle Transit. --The Committee

recommends $8,000,000 for the Research Triangle Park transit plan in

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. The phase 1 regional rail project is the

proposed initial segment of a three-phased project that will link the

three counties--Wake, Durham,and Orange--in the Triangle region of North

Carolina in a 35-mile regional commuter rail system. In phase 1, the

Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) intends to initiate regional rail

service from Durham to downtown Raleigh to north Raleigh. TTA proposes

to use diesel multiple unit rail vehicles to serve the 16 anticipated

(phase 1) stations. The proposed project will use the existing North

Carolina Railroad and CSX rail corridors to connect Duke University,

downtown Durham, Research Triangle Park, RDU Airport, Morrisville, Cary,

North Carolina State University, downtown, and north Raleigh. The

capital cost estimate for phase 1 totals $250,000,000. The cost estimate

includes: final design, acquisition of right-of-way and rail vehicles,

station construction, park-and-ride lots, and construction of storage

and maintenance facilities. TTA is currently in the preliminary

engineering/environmental documentation phase. Through fiscal year 1998,

Congress has made available $13,947,234 in appropriated funds for the

project.

Sacramento south corridor LRT extension. --The Committee recommends

$23,480,000 for the Sacramento south corridor project, the full amount

for fiscal year 1999 under the project's FFGA. The Sacramento Regional

Transit District (RT) is developing an 11.3-mile light rail project on

the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way. RT has elected to phase the

project. Phase 1, known as the interim operable segment (IOS), consists

of a 6.3-mile, $220,000,000 LRT extension in the south Sacramento

corridor. Phase 2 is also expected to cost $220,000,000. The local share

commitment to this project is 50 percent. The administration signed an

FFGA with Sacramento in June 1997 to provide a commitment of

$111,200,000 in new start funds for the 6.3-mile extension. Construction

is expected to begin in late 1998. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress

has made available $28,168,442 in appropriated funds for this project.

Salt Lake City south LRT. --The Committee recommends $70,000,000 for

the Salt Lake City south LRT project. Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is

constructing a 15-mile light rail transit (LRT) line from downtown Salt

Lake City to suburban areas to the south. The LRT line will operate

at-grade on city streets in the downtown and utilize a railroad

right-of-way already owned by UTA to the south of downtown. Construction

is well underway and the project is expected to be completed by December

2000. FTA has negotiated an FFGA with UTA committing $237,393,530 in new

start funds to the project. Total cost of the project is $312,500,000.

Through fiscal year 1998, a total of $129,986,471 has been made

available by Congress in appropriated funds for this project.

Salt Lake City/airport to university (west-east) light rail. --The

Committee recommends $3,000,000 for developing a final environmental

impact statement and beginning preliminary engineering on the proposed

10-mile light rail corridor extending from the Salt Lake International

Airport east through downtown Salt Lake City and terminating at the

University of Utah. The project will also connect with the north-south

LRT line in the downtown area. Light rail vehicles will operate at-grade

on tracks laid in existing city streets and on property owned by the

airport and by the university. Total capital costs are estimated to be

$374,000,000, with annual operating costs projected at $7,500,000.

San Bernardino, California Metrolink project. --The Committee has

provided $2,000,000 for the San Bernardino Metrolink project. This

project is to extend the Metrolink track one mile from the San

Bernardino train station to a point opposite the San Bernardino stadium.

This new end point will connect with the transfer station for Omnitrans,

which will allow commuters to reach a much larger area through an

extended bus system.

In addition to the $2,000,000 provided in this Act for the San

Bernardino Metrolink project, the Committee directs the FTA to make

available for this project the $1,000,000 provided in the fiscal year

1998 for the procurement of natural gas engines.

San Diego Mid-Coast corridor project. --The Metropolitan Transit

Development Board (MTDB), the California Department of Transportation

(Caltrans), and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) are

proposing commuter rail improvements, a light rail line, and high

occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in the Mid-Coast Corridor. The corridor

extends approximately 12 miles along I 5, from near I 8 near Old Town,

north to the vicinity of the University of California, San Diego,

University Towne Centre shopping mall, and Carmel Valley. The commuter

rail improvements to the Coaster stations consist of the construction of

a new station and additional parking to an existing station on the

Coaster commuter line. The project is estimated to cost $7,400,000. The

10.4 mile Mid-Coast LRT project would extend from Old Town to North

University City, and would include nine stations. The line would connect

with the Mission Valley and South LRT lines, now referred to as the Blue

Line, as the Coaster line at the Old Town Transit Center. The Balboa

segment is a 3.4 mile initial LRT phase proposed from Old Town to Balboa

Avenue at a cost of $90,800,000. Total costs for the Mid Coast Balboa

segment LRT and the Coaster stations equal $98,400,000. The 10.4-mile

full build LRT line and supporting bus services are estimated to cost

$374,900,000. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has appropriated

$7,060,000 for this project. The Committee recommendation for fiscal

year 1999 appropriations is $3,000,000.

San Francisco BART extension to the airport project. --Local

officials in the San Francisco area have proposed a four-station,

6.4-mile extension of the Bay Area Transit (BART) system from Colma to

an intermodal station serving the San Francisco International Airport.

The route will serve the cities of South San Francisco and San Bruno,

connect with the airport, and continue to Millbrae. The majority of the

route is to follow a combination of existing and abandoned railroad

rights-of-way. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has provided

$113,730,000. For fiscal year 1999, the Committee recommends

$74,000,000.

San Jacinto, California branch line. --The Riverside County

Transportation Commission (RCTC) has purchased a 20-mile rail line which

connects the city of Riverside to Perris. The RCTC plans to upgrade this

line to accommodate passenger service and connect it to Metrolink, the

current commuter rail service, in Riverside. The project consists of

right-of-way, grade crossing improvements, station construction and the

acquisition of rolling stock. The total cost of the project is

$43,000,000, of which $31,000,000 is needed for construction and

$12,000,000 to purchase rolling stock. For fiscal year 1999, the

Committee has provided $500,000 for this commuter rail project.

San Jose Tasman LRT project. --The Committee recommends $35,000,000

for the Tasman LRT project. Phase I west extension consists of 7.6 miles

of surface LRT from the northern terminus of the Guadalupe LRT in Santa

Clara, west through Sunnyvale, to the CalTrain commuter rail station in

Mountain View. The project will include 11 stations and will be double

tracked except for partial single tracking between Mountain View and

Lockheed stations. The West Extension is estimated to cost $325,000,000,

and received an FFGA in July 1996. To date, appropriations for the

project have totaled $124,080,000.

San Juan Tren Urbano. --The Committee recommends $60,000,000 for

continuing construction on the 10.7-mile 14-station rapid rail-line

between Bayamon Centro and the Sagrado Corazon area of Santurce in the

San Juan metropolitan area. The system consists of a double-track line

operating over at-grade and elevated rights-of-way, with a short

below-grade segment. The FTA issued a full funding grant agreement in

March 1996 to provide a total of $307,410,000 to complete the project.

To date, a total of $33,380,000 has been provided in Federal new starts

appropriated funds.

South Boston Piers MOS 2 project. --The Committee recommends

$53,983,000 for the South Boston Piers Transitway project. This project

consists of a 1 mile bus tunnel connecting South Station to the Fan Pier

and to the World Trade Center. The tunnel will be used by electric

trolleybuses and its construction is timed to coincide with the central

artery/tunnel highway project now underway. The project is under

construction. The local share commitment to this project is 20 percent.

An FFGA was issued in November 1994, in the amount of $330,726,320.

Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has made available $188,300,861 in

appropriated funds.

South DeKalb-Lindbergh Corridor LRT. --The Committee recommends

$1,000,000 for preliminary planning and a draft environmental impact

statement design for a proposed 14.5-mile light rail system in the south

DeKalb County to Lindbergh, GA, Emory University transportation

corridor. The Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority

(MARTA) is currently examining route alternatives for this corridor.

Spokane, Washington light rail project. --The Spokane Regional

Transportation Council has conducted a major investment study (MIS) to

examine the impacts of high capacity transportation on a proposed

160-mile corridor between the central business district of Spokane,

Washington and Liberty Lake. The proposed corridor would connect major

residential and employment centers within the Spokane Valley. Spokane

has been identified as a ``serious'' nonattainment area for carbon

dioxide. Trips along the corridor nearly double based on the population

and employment forecasts between the years 1990 and 2020. The MIS

considered three alternatives including: high occupancy vehicle (HOV)

lanes, express busways, and light rail. Based on the results of a draft

MIS, light rail was selected as the preferred alternative with strong

local support for light rail. The MIS was included in the region's long

range in November 1994. It is anticipated that the project sponsor will

request to initiate preliminary engineering and the environmental impact

statement process in 1998. The total estimated cost for the corridor,

including local, state, and federal funding, ranges between $200,000,000

and $300,000,000. For fiscal year 1999, the Committee recommends

$1,000,000.

St. Louis-St. Clair county LRT extension project. --The Committee

recommends $35,000,000 for the St. Clair County corridor LRT. The

initial operating segment (IOS) is a 17.4-mile extension between

downtown East St. Louis, IL, and the Belleville Community College in St.

Clair County, IL. The selected full project alternative is a 26-mile LRT

extension with a total cost of $426,700,000. The FFGA new starts amount,

toward the IOS is $243,930,961. The total estimated cost of the IOS is

$339,200,000. Through fiscal year 1998, $69,610,663 has been made

available from Congress in appropriated funds for this project.

Tampa Bay regional rail project. --The Hillsborough County

metropolitan planning organization, in cooperation with the Hillsborough

Area Regional Transit Agency, is conducting a major investment study

(MIS) to examine transportation improvements in a proposed 60-mile

corridor extending from the city of Lakeland in Polk County west to the

city of Oldsmar in Pinellas County. Early consideration of land use and

transportation connections and a broad participatory public involvement

process has been implemented into the MIS. Alternatives under

consideration include potential combinations of roadway, bus, busway,

high occupancy vehicle lanes and fixed guideway transportation

improvements. Through fiscal year 1998, Congress has provided $1,000,000

for this project. For fiscal year 1999, the Committee recommends

$500,000.

Twin Cities Transitways project. --The Committee provides

$22,000,000 for the Twin Cities Transitways project, which centers on

the development and construction of the Hiawatha Corridor light rail

transit line. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul is the 15th

largest metropolitan area in the nation, with a population of 2.6

million. In recent years, traffic congestion, pollution and related

problems have increased dramatically, with significant adverse impacts

on residents. The Twin Cities region has concluded that a network of

transitways is indispensable to manage growth wisely and encourage land

use and behavioral choices that enhance the Twin Cities' quality of

life. The Committee commends local, regional and state efforts to study

and develop new fixed guideways in the Hiawatha, Riverview, Northstar

and Red Rock Corridors that best serve the transportation needs of the

Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Virginia railway express (VRE) Fredericksburg to Washington commuter

rail project. --The Committee has provided $2,000,000 for the Virginia

Railway Express (VRE) Fredericksburg to Washington commuter rail

project.

West Trenton, New Jersey rail project. --The Committee

recommendation includes $1,000,000 for the West Trenton, New Jersey rail

project. The project intends to restore commuter service on the West

Trenton rail corridor, connecting the towns of Manville, Belle Mead,

Hillsborough, Montgomery, Hopewell, Pennington, and West Trenton, in

sommerset and Mercer Counties, in New Jersey. Previous appropriations of

$500,000 have been provided for this project.

Whitehall ferry terminal, New York. --The Committee recommends

$1,000,000 for construction of a new Staten Island ferry/Whitehall ferry

terminal facility and connecting intermodal areas in Manhattan. The

Whitehall ferry terminal suffered significant structural damage in a

fire in 1991, and needs to be replaced. The new terminal will be ADA

accessible and will enhance the safety and security for the 65,000

passengers using the facility daily. The project will directly connect

with the New York subway system, bus services, and highway users. The

total cost of the project is expected to exceed $100,000,000. To date,

the project has received $15,000,000 in federal funds.

MAJOR CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

(Highway Trust Fund)

(Liquidation of contract authorization)

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 (---)

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999 ($1,900,000,000)

Recommended in the bill (---)

xlBill compared with:

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 (---)

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999 (-1,900,000,000)

The Committee recommendation disapproves the budget request which

proposed to provide liquidating cash for the proposed major capital

investments program. Funding for this program is currently provided

under the section 5309 capital investment grants program, and

liquidating cash to pay those obligations is provided under current law.

The new program structure requested by the Administration was not

incorporated in TEA21.

MASS TRANSIT CAPITAL FUND

(Liquidation of Contract Authorization)

(Highway Trust Fund)

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 $2,350,000,000

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999\1\ ---

Recommended in the bill 1,805,600,000

xlBill compared with:

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 -544,400,000

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999 +1,805,600,000

\1\The budget proposes to fund the liquidating cash appropriation under a new account entitled mass capital investments.

This liquidating cash appropriation covers obligations incurred under

contract authority provided for activities previously discussed under

the capital investment grants program. The Committee recommends

$1,805,600,000 in liquidating cash for mass transit capital programs.

JOB ACCESS AND REVERSE COMMUTE GRANTS

Appropriation (general fund) Limitation on obligations (trust fund)

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 --- ---

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999\1\ --- ---

Recommended in the bill $10,000,000 ($40,000,000)

xlBill compared to:

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 +10,000,000 (+40,000,000)

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999 +10,000,000 (+40,000,000)

\1\The budget included a request to set-aside $100,000,000 for access to job activities from the formula grants program.

The fiscal year 1999 budget request and the Administration's

reauthorization proposal for the surface transportation programs,

NEXTEA, proposed to establish a new access to jobs and training program.

The program was to be funded at $100,000,000 in fiscal year 1999 as a

set-aside from the formula program. The proposal intended to provide

enhanced transportation services for low-income individuals, including

former welfare recipients, traveling to jobs or training centers.

Section 3037 of TEA21 establishes such a program, the jobs access and

reverse commute grants program. For fiscal year 1999, the program is

funded at a total level of $50,000,000, with no more than $10,000,000

derived from the general fund and $40,000,000 derived from the mass

transit account of the highway trust fund. These funds are guaranteed

under the transit funding category.

The program is to make competitive grants to qualifying metropolitan

planning organizations, local governmental authorities, agencies, and

non-profit organizations in urbanized areas with populations greater

than 200,000. Grants may not be used for planning or coordination

activities. No more than $10,000,000 may be provided for reverse

commuter grants.

WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 $200,000,000

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999\1\ 50,300,000

Recommended in the bill 50,000,000

xlBill compared with:

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 -150,000,000

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999 -300,000

\1\The budget proposed that the appropriation be derived from the highway trust fund.

The bill provides $50,000,000 to complete the construction of the

Washington, D.C. Metrorail system. This level is a decrease of

$150,000,000 below the 1998 enacted level and $300,000 below the budget

request. This appropriation is guaranteed under the transit funding

category.

This appropriation concludes the federal share of the costs to

construct the Washington, D.C. Metrorail system. A total of

$11,000,000,000 of local and federal funds will have been invested in

the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's rail system. The

federal government's portion will be $8,000,000,000. This figure

includes funding from the 1990 reauthorization, interest and principal

on $997,000,000 in federally-guaranteed bonds through fiscal year 1994,

as well as interest expense and the cost of refinancing these bonds in

fiscal year 1994.

The following table summarizes funding made available to date for the

construction and completion of the 103-mile Washington Metrorail system:

Offset folio 168 insert here

SAINT LAWRENCE SEAWAY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation's operations

program consists of lock and marine operations, maintenance, dredging,

planning and development activities related to the operation and

maintenance of that part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway between Montreal

and Lake Erie within the territorial limits of the United States.

The Committee maintains a strong interest in maximizing the

commercial use and competitive position of the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

The general language under this heading is the same as the language

provided last year. Continuation of this language, in addition to that

under the operations and maintenance appropriation, will provide the

Corporation the flexibility and access to available resources needed to

finance costs associated with unanticipated events which could threaten

the safe and uninterrupted use of the Seaway. The language permits the

Corporation to use sources of funding not designated for the harbor

maintenance trust fund by Public Law 99 662, but which have been

historically set aside for non-routine or emergency use-cash reserves

derived primarily from prior-year revenues received in excess of costs;

unused borrowing authority; and miscellaneous income.

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

(Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund)

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998\1\ $11,200,000

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999

Recommended in the bill 11,496,000

xlBill compared with:

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 +296,000

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999 +11,496,000

\1\Excludes reductions of $7,000 for TASC.

On March 4, 1996, the Vice President announced plans to restructure

nine federal agencies as performance-based organizations (PBOs). The

Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (Seaway) was one of the

nine agencies chosen for the conversion to a PBO. Others include the

Department of Commerce seafood inspection; Patent and Trademark Office;

National Technical Information Service; Defense Commissary Agency;

Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance services; Government

National Mortgage Association, the U.S. Mint; and Federal retirement

benefit services.

Legislation and a financial plan for the Seaway's PBO was submitted

to Congress in July 1996; however, it was not acted upon. The PBO

legislation was resubmitted to Congress in May 1997.

As a PBO, the Seaway's primary funding mechanism would change under

its proposed legislation from yearly congressional appropriations to

mandatory formula-based payments. Due to the PBO proposal, the Seaway is

not making an appropriation request in fiscal year 1999, but instead is

seeking a mandatory payment of $12,646,000 from the Harbor Maintenance

Fund.

The bill includes an appropriation of $11,496,000 instead of

mandatory funding as requested. Establishing the Seaway as a PBO has not

been authorized and it is not within this Committee's jurisdiction to do

so. Neither the Committee nor the department is aware of any current or

pending congressional action on PBO authorizing legislation. Until

authorization is enacted, the Committee will continue funding the Seaway

according to current law. The Committee recommendation in no way

presumes that the Seaway's status will change to a PBO.

The Committee remains concerned about certain provisions contained

within the proposed PBO legislation. First, the proposed mandatory

funding mechanism would guarantee a certain level of funding

irrespective of overall policy goals, such as deficit reduction, which

may undermine Congressional and Presidential goals to maintain a

balanced budget. Second, Congress would no longer have a direct role in

setting the Seaway's annual funding levels or determining how those

funds should be used.

The Committee has reduced funding from the proposed mandatory payment

level of $12,646,000 for two reasons. First, payment for the Seaway is

based on a five-year average of international metric tonnage moved

through the Seaway, adjusted by a factor of 1.076 and adjusted for

inflation. In 1997, actual Seaway tonnage decreased, thus the

Corporation recalculated its needs to reflect actual tonnage for the

1997-navigation season, lowering its financial need. The Committee has

taken this recalculated need into consideration. Second, in March 1998,

the Secretary revoked the authority delegating the Seaway to carry out

the functions of the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960, and transferred

these functions and four staff back to the Coast Guard, where most

pilotage functions were prior to late 1995. As a result, the annual

costs of the pilotage functions were not included in the appropriation

for the Seaway.

RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION

The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) was

originally established by the Secretary of Transportation's

organizational changes dated July 20, 1977. The agency received

statutory authority on October 24, 1992. RSPA has a broad portfolio. Its

diverse jurisdictions include hazardous materials, pipelines,

international standards, emergency transportation, and university

research. As the department's only multimodal administration, RSPA

provides research, analytical and technical support for transportation

programs through headquarters offices and the Volpe National

Transportation Systems Center.

SUMMARY OF FISCAL YEAR 1999 PROGRAM

The Committee recommends $77,627,000 in new budget authority and

limitations on obligations to continue the operations, research and

development, and grants-in-aid administered by the Research and Special

Programs Administration. The following table summarizes fiscal year 1998

program levels, the fiscal year 1999 program requests, and the

Committee's recommendations:

Program Fiscal year 1998 enacted\1\ Fiscal year 1999 estimate Recommended in the bill

Research and special programs $29,450,000 $29,655,000 $34,379,000

Pipeline safety\2\ 31,300,000 35,463,000 33,448,000

Emergency preparedness grants (including limitations on obligations) 200,000 200,000 9,800,000

----------------------------- --------------------------- -------------------------

\1\Includes $1,000,000 provided in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriation Act of 1998 and excludes reductions of $92,000 for TASC.

\2\Does not reflect funding derived from the reserve fund because it is not directly appropriated.

RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998\1\ $29,450,000

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999 29,655,000

Recommended in the bill 34,379,000

xlBill compared with:

Appropriation, fiscal year 1998 +4,929,000

Budget estimate, fiscal year 1999 +4,724,000

\1\Includes $1,000,000 provided under the Emergency Supplemental Appropriation Act of 1998 and excludes reductions of $48,000 for TASC.

RSPA's research and special programs administers a comprehensive

nationwide safety program to (1) protect the nation from the risks

inherent in the transportation of hazardous materials by water, air,

highway and railroad; (2) oversee the execution of the Secretary of

Transportation's statutory responsibilities for providing transportation

services during national emergencies; and (3) coordinate the

department's research and development policy planning, university

research, and technology transfer. Overall policy, legal, financial,

management and administrative support to RSPA's programs is also

provided under this appropriation. The total recommended program level

for research and special programs is $34,379,000, which is $4,724,000

more than requested. Budget and staffing data for this appropriation are

as follows:

Fiscal year 1998 enacted\1\ Fiscal year 1999 estimate Recommended in the bill

Hazardous materials safety $15,342,000 $15,863,000 $15,863,000

Research and technology 3,446,000 3,851,000 3,700,000

Emergency transportation 2,443,000 997,000 997,000

Program support 8,219,000 8,944,000 8,819,000

Advanced vehicle technology consortia 5,000,000

------------------------------ ---------------------------- -------------------------

Total, Research and Special Programs 29,450,000 29,655,000 34,379,000

\1\Include $1,000,000 provided under the Emergency Supplemental Appropriation Act of 1998.

The Committee recommends the following changes to the budget request:

Hold research and technology to 10 percent increase -$151,000

Delete funding for new electronic grant project -100,000

Delete funding for acquisition management training -25,000

Fund advanced vehicle technology consortia +5,000,000

Research and technology. --The Committee has held research and

technology to a 10 percent increase over fiscal year 1998 instead of 17

percent as requested.

PAGE 6 PAGE 8 105th Congress Legislation Index