Senate Report 105-55
(continued)
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Appropriations, 1997 \1\$41,497,000
Budget estimate, 1998 47,018,000
Committee recommendation 41,497,000
\1\Excludes reductions for TASC and awards pursuant to sections
321 and 346 of Public Law 104 205. An additional $780,000 was made
available from formula grants balances.
The Committee recommends a total of $41,497,000 in general funds for
administrative expenses. The administration's request funded
administrative expenses from the ``Mass transit'' account of the highway
trust fund beginning in fiscal year 1998.
Project management oversight activities, section 23 .--The Committee
has included bill language that limits to $15,000,000 the amount of
funds that may be withheld from transit capital grants to conduct
oversight activities in fiscal year 1998. The FTA's Project Management
Oversight Program is intended to inform and assist FTA management and
FTA grantees in carrying out their individual responsibilities as
stewards of public funds under the Federal transit law. The Project
Management Oversight Program encompasses project management oversight of
major capital projects, and safety, procurement, management, and
financial compliance reviews and audits of FTA grantees. A recent
inspector general's audit has revealed, however, that the FTA has
allocated significant resources of section 23 funds for numerous
management initiatives which are not eligible for section 23 funding. In
addition, the inspector general's audit determined that available
section 23 funds were significantly underutilized because FTA annually
apportions the maximum section 23 funds allowed by law but obligates
significantly less than the total available funds. The Committee's
action to limit the amount of withheld project management oversight
funds to $15,000,000 in fiscal year 1998 will help to ensure that
section 23 funds are used only for purposes intended by Congress.
Further, the Committee's action will ensure that capital grants are more
fully applied to capital, operating, and planning assistance while
ensuring that critical project management oversight and financial
reviews of FTA's grantees are performed. Further, the Committee directs
that the FTA submit with its annual budget submission a detailed program
plan by activity and detailed justification of its oversight program,
similar to the format of the Department's ITS justifications.
TOTAL FORMULA AND DISCRETIONARY TRANSIT FUNDS, BY STATE
The following table shows a complete display of formula and
discretionary transit funds, broken out by State, under the Committee's
funding recommendations.
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION FISCAL YEAR 1998 APPORTIONMENTS FOR FORMULA PROGRAMS AND DISCRETIONARY PROGRAMS (BY STATE)
State Section 5307 urbanized area formula apportionment Section 5311 nonurbanized formula apportionment Section 5320 elderly and persons with disabilities apportionment Section 5309 fixed guideway modernization apportionment Section 5338-- Total
Discretionary grants bus and bus facilities Discretionary grants--new systems
Alabama $10,788,162 $3,073,404 $1,050,450 $39,000,000 $53,912,016
Alaska 1,740,780 458,311 179,394 2,378,485
America Samoa 65,324 52,142 117,466
Arizona 24,730,174 1,345,455 928,131 $711,445 27,715,205
Arkansas 3,837,824 2,457,059 738,975 7,033,858
California 346,548,067 5,996,879 5,617,284 70,552,284 17,700,000 $105,800,000 552,214,514
Colorado 25,907,108 1,280,094 723,634 827,504 11,000,000 32,000,000 71,738,340
Connecticut 34,799,726 1,161,166 826,776 32,745,354 7,500,000 2,000,000 79,033,022
Delaware 4,382,795 289,683 262,309 351,119 5,285,905
District of Columbia 20,723,986 260,487 19,324,579 4,000,000 44,309,052
Florida 107,021,219 3,855,059 3,795,947 5,939,122 14,000,000 43,800,000 178,411,347
Georgia 38,843,522 4,493,643 1,357,175 7,991,349 5,000,000 44,600,000 102,285,690
Guam 185,961 132,123 318,084
Hawaii 18,425,436 504,343 329,148 284,897 10,000,000 29,543,824
Idaho 2,277,192 1,017,497 336,450 3,631,139
Illinois 156,418,110 4,122,667 2,459,693 99,427,493 30,000,000 292,427,964
Indiana 24,528,307 3,982,403 1,298,444 6,673,769 4,000,000 7,500,000 47,982,923
Iowa 6,472,783 2,561,521 793,176 8,000,000 17,827,480
Kansas 6,012,057 2,037,609 667,649 2,000,000 10,717,315
Kentucky 12,242,080 3,363,647 1,007,405 16,613,132
Louisiana 20,420,754 2,781,979 1,010,609 2,158,866 8,000,000 34,372,208
Maine 1,633,570 1,342,414 416,501 3,392,485
Maryland 57,315,126 1,675,939 1,015,310 16,121,771 10,000,000 35,000,000 121,128,145
Massachusetts 83,983,722 1,796,097 1,455,067 53,675,525 4,000,000 48,200,000 193,110,411
Michigan 45,575,278 4,864,138 2,106,852 144,843 52,691,111
Minnesota 21,753,220 2,799,031 1,029,391 2,042,096 3,000,000 30,623,738
Mississippi 3,510,335 2,731,491 718,402 4,000,000 3,000,000 13,960,228
Missouri 25,168,250 3,260,150 1,316,530 1,410,305 32,000,000 500,000 63,655,235
Montana 1,723,154 824,253 310,060 2,857,467
Nebraska 6,241,561 1,243,693 475,643 7,960,897
Nevada 11,088,102 406,047 358,126 8,000,000 5,000,000 24,852,275
New Hampshire 2,414,281 1,075,106 339,246 3,828,633
New Jersey 131,820,444 1,537,173 1,743,557 68,717,902 12,000,000 91,000,000 306,819,077
New Mexico 5,167,051 1,208,451 420,326 11,800,000 18,595,828
New York 395,861,766 5,411,034 4,018,203 268,706,682 47,050,000 50,500,000 771,547,685
North Carolina 19,356,066 5,748,117 1,541,198 8,600,000 14,000,000 49,245,381
North Dakota 1,679,747 609,572 266,417 2,555,736
Northern Marianas 60,536 51,956 112,492
Ohio 63,172,942 5,851,983 2,566,250 12,520,503 12,500,000 800,000 97,411,678
Oklahoma 8,224,811 2,501,662 871,636 2,000,000 13,598,109
Oregon 18,896,137 1,986,342 811,526 1,228,479 2,000,000 63,400,000 88,322,484
Pennsylvania 108,969,938 6,527,948 3,073,497 89,771,005 15,000,000 8,000,000 231,342,388
Puerto Rico 35,234,014 1,950,756 770,699 737,398 38,692,867
Rhode Island 7,327,945 249,895 372,551 1,006,505 8,956,896
South Carolina 8,757,317 2,876,961 843,089 11,000,000 3,000,000 26,477,367
South Dakota 1,211,718 743,020 286,367 4,500,000 6,741,105
Tennessee 16,250,512 3,713,828 1,237,314 31,152 15,000,000 1,000,000 37,232,807
Texas 115,479,885 7,840,921 3,173,722 2,882,642 23,900,000 70,100,000 223,377,171
Utah 15,324,387 563,250 392,833 13,400,000 92,000,000 121,680,470
Vermont 608,974 664,324 239,619 4,750,000 8,000,000 14,262,917
Virgin Islands 142,187 134,045 276,232
Virginia 43,600,229 3,292,668 1,286,505 487,388 2,000,000 50,666,790
Washington 58,118,297 2,307,131 1,155,525 7,409,848 22,000,000 24,000,000 114,990,801
West Virginia 2,935,925 1,961,727 620,551 28,000,000 33,518,203
Wisconsin 25,336,924 3,389,634 1,179,382 268,174 15,000,000 45,174,114
Wyoming 841,417 474,078 206,313 1,521,808
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ---------------
Subtotal 2,210,703,129 128,665,261 60,631,610 774,150,000 440,000,000 780,000,000 4,399,050,000
Section 23 set-aside 10,121,004 589,053 5,850,000 16,560,057
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ---------------
Total 2,220,824,133 129,254,314 60,631,610 780,000,000 440,000,000 780,000,000 4,415,610,057
FORMULA GRANTS
Appropriation (general fund) Limitation (trust fund)
Appropriations, 1997 $490,000,000 $1,659,185,000
Budget estimate, 1998 3,409,500,000
Committee recommendation 90,000,000 2,310,000,000
The Formula Grant Program has funded sections 5307, 5310(a)2, 5311,
and 5336, providing grants on the basis of a formula to State and local
agencies for mass transportation operating and capital expenses.
The Committee recommends $2,400,000,000 for continuation of the
Formula Grant Program including $128,665,261 for the section 5311
Nonurban Formula Program; $60,631,610 for the section 5310 Elderly and
Disabled Program, and $2,210,703,129 for the section 5307, Urban Formula
Grants Program.
The administration's request proposes to fund formula programs from
the ``Mass transit'' account of the highway trust fund and to combine
funding for bus and bus-related activities and fixed guideway
modernization into formula programs, with funds made available for fixed
guideway modernization to be distributed by the current statutory
formula.
In addition, the administration request would move the rural transit
assistance program funding to the ``Formula programs'' account from the
``Transit planning and research'' account.
Both the Committee's and the administration's requests propose to
allow preventive maintenance and other activities to be funded as a
capital expense. Operating assistance would no longer be an eligible
expense in areas greater than 200,000 in population. However, in smaller
areas under 200,000 in population, all formula assistance could be used
for any eligible transit purpose, including capital, planning and
operating costs.
Paratransit requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act
[ADA] .--The Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] requires that transit
operators offer paratransit service, as well as accessible fixed route
service, to persons with disabilities. The requirement to provide
paratransit services to those passengers unable to use fixed-route
transit service becomes effective January 26, 1997.
The legislative intent of the ADA that fixed route public transit
operators provide complementary paratransit services for eligible
persons with disabilities did not assume the transfer to public transit
operators of the financial burden of carrying persons with disabilities
whose transportation costs have traditionally been funded by Department
of Health and Human Services [DHHS] programs. Therefore, the Committee
has an interest in ensuring that the existing human services
transportation programs funded through DHHS not be eliminated or
consolidated without an adequate and ongoing financial commitment by
DHHS to pay for the transportation costs of their clients whether such
transportation is provided by traditional human services transportation
networks or by ADA complementary paratransit services.
The Committee reiterates its position that, in order to most
effectively implement the paratransit requirements of the ADA, the
Department of Transportation should closely coordinate its efforts with
those of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Committee
believes that coordination of transportation for persons with
disabilities, seniors, and others funded by DHHS programs or by public
transit operators under their ADA complementary paratransit obligations
must be planned and implemented at the State and regional levels in
order to ensure cost-effective service delivery and improve access to
DHHS program services. Federal guidelines to facilitate such
coordination planning will provide assistance to public transit
operators, community transportation providers, and human service
transportation providers to achieve coordination objectives. In
addition, a uniform cost accounting system is key to fostering
coordination among the myriad Federal programs which fund transportation
in order to streamline the payment for the administration of services
funded by each program.
The Committee directs the Secretary of Transportation, working with
the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the DOT/DHHS
Coordinating Council, to develop these guidelines for State and regional
planning to achieve specific transportation coordination objectives
including, but not limited to: joint identification of human service
client transportation needs and the appropriate mix of transportation
services to meet those needs; the expanded use of public transit
services to deliver human services program transportation; and
cost-sharing arrangements for DHHS program clients transported by ADA
paratransit systems based on a uniform accounting system.
UNIVERSITY TRANSPORTATION CENTERS
Appropriations, 1997 $6,000,000
Budget estimate, 1998 ...........................
Committee recommendation 6,000,000
Section 5317(b) of title 49 U.S.C. provides for the university
transportation centers program. The purpose of the university
transportation centers program is to become a national resource and
focal point for the support and conduct of research and training
concerning the transportation of passengers and property. The
administration's request proposes to fund university transportation
centers under the ``Transit planning and research'' account.
The Committee has approved $6,000,000 for the university
transportation centers program, the same level as provided in fiscal
year 1997.
TRANSIT PLANNING AND RESEARCH
Appropriations, 1997 $85,500,000
Budget estimate, 1998 91,800,000
Committee recommendation 77,250,000
The Committee has recommended $77,250,000 for transit planning and
research. The bill contains language specifying that $39,500,000 shall
be available for the metropolitan planning program; $4,500,000 for the
rural transit assistance program; $22,000,000 for the national program;
$8,250,000 for the State program; and $3,000,000 for the National
Transit Institute. Under the national component of the program, the
Federal Transit Administration is a catalyst in the research,
development, and deployment of transportation methods and technologies
addressing such issues as accessibility for the disabled, air quality,
and traffic congestion service and operational improvements. Funds for
the State and local component of the program will ensure that all
localities have sufficient funds to improve the State and local planning
process and to participate in research efforts with regional
applications. The administration's request proposes to fund the rural
transit assistance program under formula programs and include university
transportation centers under this ``Transit planning and research''
account.
The following table summarizes the Committee recommendation:
Fiscal year 1997 program level Fiscal year 1998 budget estimate Committee recommendation
Metropolitan planning $39,500,000 $39,500,000 $39,500,000
Rural transit assistance program 4,500,000 4,500,000
State planning and research program 8,250,000 8,250,000 8,250,000
Transit cooperative research program 8,250,000 8,250,000
National Transit Institute 3,000,000 3,000,000 3,000,000
National planning and research program 22,000,000 26,800,000 22,000,000
University transportation centers 6,000,000
-------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------
Total 85,500,000 91,800,000 77,250,000
The Committee has provided funding for a number of important
initiatives in fiscal year 1997. They are as follows:
Fuel Cell Transit Bus Program .--The Committee directs the FTA to
provide $4,000,000 to continue the advancement of the Fuel Cell Transit
Bus Program.
Project ACTION .--The Committee provides $2,000,000 to continue
Project ACTION (accessible community transportation in our Nation),
which is administered by the National Easter Seal Society through a
cooperative agreement with the FTA.
Zinc-air battery .--The Committee provides $2,000,000 for zinc-air
research and for a demonstration of zinc-air battery applications in
heavy-duty vehicles.
Low-speed magnetic levitation. --The Committee directs the FTA to
provide $1,000,000 for the continued development of low-speed magnetic
levitation technology for a downtown urban area shuttle in Pittsburgh,
PA.
Honolulu congestion study .--The Committee is aware of the island of
Oahu's severe traffic congestion and the urgent need to explore
transportation alternatives. The Committee supports Federal funding for
a 2-year effort by the city and county of Honolulu to undertake a
comprehensive transportation investment analysis to develop and evaluate
mobility alternatives for Honolulu's primary urban corridor from Ewa to
east Honolulu.
TRUST FUND SHARE OF TRANSIT PROGRAMS
(Liquidation of Contract Authorization)
(highway trust fund)
Appropriations, 1997 ($1,920,000,000)
Budget estimate, 1998 ...........................06
Committee recommendation (2,310,000,000)
Under ISTEA, Public Law 102 240, four transit accounts can be funded
from the mass transit account of the highway trust fund, the general
fund, or a mix of the two. Consistent with current law, the Committee
proposes funding only formula grants with both trust and general funds.
Administrative expenses, university transportation centers, and planning
and research will be funded only with general funding.
DISCRETIONARY GRANTS
(Limitation on Obligations)
(Highway Trust Fund)
Appropriations, 1997 ($1,900,000,000)
Budget estimate, 1998 (650,000,000)
Committee recommendation (2,000,000,000)
Section 5338(b) of 49 U.S.C. authorizes discretionary grants or loans
to States and local public bodies and agencies thereof to be used in
financing mass transportation investments. Under the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, Public Law 102 240, investments
may include construction of new fixed guideway systems; extensions to
existing guideway systems; major bus fleet expansions; and fixed
guideway expenditures for existing older systems. The administration's
request proposes to combine the funding for bus and bus-related
activities and fixed guideway modernization with the formula programs.
Therefore, only new fixed guideway systems or extensions--major capital
investments--would be funded in this account.
The Committee recommends a level of $2,000,000,000. The following
table summarizes the Committee recommendations:
[In thousands of dollars]
1997 program level Fiscal year 1998 budget estimate Committee recommendations
Bus and bus facilities 380,000 440,000
Fixed guideway modernization 760,000 780,000
New systems and new extensions 760,000 650,000 780,000
-------------------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------
Total 1,900,000 650,000 2,000,000
Three-year availability of section 3 discretionary funds .--The
Committee has redistributed unallocated discretionary bus and new starts
funds from projects which were funded in the fiscal year 1995
Transportation appropriations bill (Public Law 103 331) and previous
acts making these funds available for reallocation in fiscal year 1998.
As in previous years, a general provision (sec. 316) is included which
limits funding availability for these fiscal year 1998 discretionary
funds to 3 years from enactment.
BUS AND BUS FACILITIES
Due to budget constraints, the Committee is unable to fund many
meritorious bus and bus facilities projects. This action was taken
without prejudice. The Committee expects to give full consideration to
all projects mentioned in the House and Senate reports during conference
committee deliberations on the Fiscal Year 1998 Transportation
Appropriations Act.
Alternative fueled buses .--Those transit systems in the State of
New York receiving section 3 bus discretionary allocations in areas over
200,000 population for the express purpose of providing fixed-route
transit services, are directed to purchase alternative fueled buses.
Vehicles purchased for use in urbanized areas under 200,000 population
and for use in rural areas and/or for ADA mandated paratransit services
would be exempted. The Committee further directs that the entire amount
made available for the State of New Jersey for bus and bus facilities
under this account shall be used exclusively for the purchase of
alternative fuel buses.
The recommended amount includes the following allocations:
Committee
State/city and project description
recommendation
Alabama:
$12,000,000
10,000,000
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
6,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
California:
1,000,000
2,200,000
3,500,000
9,000,000
2,000,000
Colorado: Colorado Association of Transit Agencies, buses and equipment 11,000,000
Connecticut: Bridgeport intermodal center 7,500,000
District of Columbia: Fuel cell bus facilities 4,000,000
Florida:
1,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
5,000,000
4,000,000
Georgia: Atlanta MARTA compressed natural gas buses 5,000,000
Hawaii: Honolulu buses and facility 10,000,000
Indiana: Indianapolis Public Transportation Corp. buses 4,000,000
Iowa:
5,500,000
2,500,000
Kansas: Johnson County bus maintenance/operations facility 2,000,000
Louisiana:
5,000,000
3,000,000
Maryland: Mass Transit Administration buses and facilities 10,000,000
Massachusetts:
1,000,000
3,000,000
Minnesota: St. Paul, Snelling bus garage 3,000,000
Mississippi: Jackson bus facility 4,000,000
Missouri:
7,000,000
9,000,000
16,000,000
Nevada: Las Vegas Citizens Area Transit system, vehicles 8,000,000
New Jersey: NJ Transit alternative fuel buses 12,000,000
New Mexico:
1,000,000
1,300,000
7,500,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
New York:
4,000,000
4,300,000
3,750,000
10,000,000
10,000,000
15,000,000
North Carolina:
1,600,000
7,000,000
Ohio: Statewide bus and bus facility projects 12,500,000
Oregon:
1,000,000
1,000,000
Pennsylvania:
2,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
8,000,000
South Carolina:
4,000,000
6,000,000
1,000,000
South Dakota: Statewide bus and bus facilities 4,500,000
Tennessee: Statewide bus and bus facilities projects 15,000,000
Texas:
3,000,000
3,900,000
4,000,000
6,000,000
5,000,000
2,000,000
Utah:
4,000,000
400,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
Vermont:
3,000,000
1,750,000
Virginia: Richmond multimodal center 2,000,000
Washington:
2,000,000
3,000,000
1,000,000
3,000,000
3,000,000
10,000,000
West Virginia:
9,500,000
18,500,000
Wisconsin:
2,000,000
13,000,000
FIXED GUIDEWAY MODERNIZATION
The Committee recommends a total of $780,000,000 for the
modernization of existing rail transit systems. Under ISTEA all of the
funds are distributed by formula. The following table itemizes the
fiscal year 1997 rail modernization allocations by State:
Fixed guideway modernization apportionments
State
Apportionment
Arizona $711,445
California 70,552,284
Colorado 827,504
Connecticut 32,745,354
Delaware 351,119
District of Columbia 19,324,579
Florida 5,939,122
Georgia 7,991,349
Hawaii 284,897
Illinois 99,427,493
Indiana 6,673,769
Louisiana 2,158,866
Maryland 16,121,771
Massachusetts 53,675,525
Michigan 144,843
Minnesota 2,042,096
Missouri 1,410,305
New Jersey 68,717,902
New York 268,706,682
Ohio 12,520,503
Oregon 1,228,479
Pennsylvania 89,771,005
Puerto Rico 737,398
Rhode Island 1,006,505
Tennessee 31,152
Texas 2,882,642
Virginia 487,388
Washington 7,409,848
Wisconsin 268,174
774,150,000
Section 23 set-aside 5,850,000
780,000,000
NEW SYSTEMS
The bill includes $780,000,000 of new authority for new starts. These
funds are available for preliminary engineering, right-of-way
acquisition, project management, oversight, and construction for new
systems and extensions. According to specific project needs, these funds
shall also be available for preliminary stages of projects named for
funding. The funds are to be distributed as follows:
Atlanta North Springs $44,600,000
Austin Capital Metro 1,000,000
BART San Francisco Airport and San Jose Tasman extensions 34,500,000
Boston piers (MOS 2) project 46,200,000
Boston urban ring 2,000,000
Burlington-Essex, VT, commuter rail 8,000,000
Canton-Akron-Cleveland commuter rail project 800,000
Charleston monobeam rail project 3,000,000
Cincinnati Northeast/Northern Kentucky Rail Line project 500,000
Clark County, NV, RTC fixed guideway 5,000,000
DART north central light rail extension 14,000,000
Denver southwest corridor LRT 30,000,000
East Side access project, New York 50,000,000
Florida tricounty commuter rail 12,000,000
Galveston rail trolley system 4,000,000
Griffin light rail project, Hartford, CT 2,000,000
Hollis to Ketchikan ferry -6,345,000
Houston METRO regional bus plan 51,100,000
Indianapolis northeast corridor 1,500,000
Jackson, MS, intermodal corridor 3,000,000
Los Angeles Metro Rail MOS 3 51,000,000
MARC commuter rail 35,000,000
Memphis regional rail plan 1,000,000
Nassau hub rail link EIS 500,000
New Jersey urban core:
64,000,000
27,000,000
New Orleans Canal Street corridor project 4,000,000
North Carolina Research Triangle Park 14,000,000
Northern Indiana South Shore commuter rail 6,000,000
Oklahoma City MAPS corridor transit system 2,000,000
Orlando Lynx light rail project 31,800,000
Pittsburgh busway projects 8,000,000
Portland Westside LRT project 63,400,000
Roaring Fork Valley rail 2,000,000
Sacramento LRT extension 20,300,000
Salt Lake City:
84,000,000
8,000,000
Seattle-Tacoma light rail and commuter rail 24,000,000
Springfield-Branson, MO commuter rail 500,000
St. Louis METRO Link/St. Clair extension project 30,000,000
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS
Atlanta-MARTA North Line extension. --The Committee recommends
$44,600,000 for the Atlanta-MARTA North Line extension 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 $305,000,000 in new starts
funds, including $52,110,000 in fiscal year 1998. However, $44,600,000
has been requested by the administration in fiscal year 1998, with the
remaining $96,720,000 of the FFGA to be provided over fiscal years 1999
2001. To date, $99,730,000 has been obligated to the entire project with
only the fiscal year 1997 appropriation remaining unobligated. The
1.9-mile federally funded segment of the North Line extension (Medical
Center to North Springs) received an ISTEA earmark of $318,760,000.
Austin Capital Metro .--The Committee recommends $1,000,000 for
Austin Capital Metro for planning and design work on the proposed light
rail project in north Austin, 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 which
identifies the highest priority corridor for fixed guideway transit
development, and are attempting to determine the locally preferred
transit strategy.
San Francisco Bart extension to the airport project/San Jose Tasman
LRT 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 proposed route would serve the cities of
south San Francisco and San Bruno, connect with the airport, and
continue to Millbrae. The majority of the proposed route is to follow a
combination of existing and abandoned railroad rights-of-way. To date,
Congress has provided $83,923,000 for the project. The Committees on
Appropriations have expressed concern about this project in the past and
continue to be concerned about the cost of the project in excess of the
ISTEA authorization, the high cost per new trip, the apparently shifting
support for the project in some of the communities to be served by the
project, and the action of the administration in signing the BART FFGA
without having requested sufficient funds in the budget process (or in
subsequent budget amendments) to support the FFGA. The Committee has
been informed that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors recently
authorized a study of the possibility of extending CalTrain from the San
Francisco International Airport to Market Street in downtown San
Francisco. Proponents of the study indicate that the service would cost
a fraction of the BART extension and would arrive in San Francisco 20
minutes faster than a BART train leaving the airport at the same time.
The Tasman phase I west extension project 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 station. The west extension is estimated to cost $325,000,000.
To date appropriations for the project have totaled $102,750,000.
The Committee recommends $34,500,000. Of these funds, $21,400,000 are
available only for the San Jose Tasman LRT project and the remaining
funds are available for either the San Jose Tasman LRT project or the
BART extension to the airport project. The Committee is unwilling at
this time to commit additional funds to the BART project without greater
budgetary support for the existing stream of FFGA's by the
administration, greater certainty that there is not a more efficient and
less costly alternative, that the project has overcome the significant
local opposition, and that the high cost per new trip cannot be reduced.
Boston-South Boston Piers Transitway MOS 2. --The Committee
recommends $46,200,000 for the South Boston Piers Transitway project.
This project consists of a 1-mile bus tunnel connecting South Station to
the World Trade Center and Fan Pier. 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 in the final
design stage. The local share commitment to this project is 20 percent.
The cost-effectiveness index is $9 per new passenger trip. FTA has
determined that the grantee has the financial capacity to build and
operate this project. An FFGA was issued in November 1994, in the amount
of $330,730,000. The project received an appropriation of $30,000,000 in
fiscal year 1997. The FFGA funding schedule provides for $53,990,000 in
fiscal year 1998. The administration is requesting $46,200,000 in fiscal
year 1998. The remaining $142,320,000,000 would be provided over the
course of fiscal years 1999 2001. To date, $112,410,000 has been
obligated to the project with only the fiscal year 1997 appropriation
remaining unobligated.
Boston urban ring .--The Committee recommends $2,000,000 for
developing a preferred alternative for the Massachusetts Bay
Transportation Authority's planned circumferential corridor located just
beyond the Boston central core. Alternatives for this new service
include rail service to new station stops on the existing radial system,
and enhanced local bus service. Initial cost estimates range from
$20,000,000 for the bus alternative to $1,400,000 for the full build
alternative. This project has received a total of $1,100,000 in past
years' appropriations.
Burlington-Essex Junction commuter rail .--The Committee recommends
$8,000,000 for the construction of a commuter rail line linking
Burlington to Essex Junction. The commuter rail improvements in this
corridor include track, tunnel, signal, grade crossing, and drainage
improvements. In Burlington, the terminus would be the newly developed
Main Street Landing/Union Station site. Hourly commuter rail service
would be provided on the New England Central Railway right-of-way. The
project includes the construction of stations with park-and-ride lots
and integrated feeder bus service.
Canton-Akron-Cleveland commuter rail project .--The Committee has
included $800,000 for the proposed Canton-Akron-Cleveland commuter rail
project. This regional line will relieve traffic congestion on
Interstate 77 and help with air quality issues in nonattainment areas.
Charleston, SC, monobeam rail project .--The Committee recommends
$3,000,000 for the construction of a full-scale demonstration monobeam
rail line linking the Charleston International Airport to the Charleston
Coliseum/Convention Center. This funding will allow completion of the
first phase of the project, covering the 1.2 miles of the distance
between the coliseum and the convention center.
Cincinnati Northeast/Northern Kentucky Rail Line project .--The
corridor extends from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International
Airport through downtown Cincinnati to King's Island Amusement Park in
Warren County, OH. This 33-mile corridor paralleling I 71 generally runs
in a northeasterly direction, and so is referred to as the Northeast
corridor. The capital cost of the rail alternative is $800,000,000. The
project is currently in the system planning studies phase. For fiscal
year 1998, the Committee has included $500,000.
Clark County, NV, RTC fixed guideway .--The Committee recommends
$5,000,000 for preliminary engineering and design for a proposed fixed
guideway system in the Las Vegas, NV, valley. There are two major
components to the proposed fixed guideway system: a 15.6-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
is currently in the final phase of a major investment study for the Las
Vegas corridor. FTA has not rated the project's financial plan.
Dallas-DART north central light rail extension project. --The
Committee recommends $14,000,000 for the Dallas-DART north central light
rail extension project. This project is a 12.5-mile, eight-station,
$347,100,000 LRT extension to Plano. The southern 8.5 miles, from Park
Lane to Richardson Transit Center, would be double tracked. The northern
4 miles would be single track initially with limited station
development. Dallas area rapid transit has completed a major investment
study [MIS] and the preferred alternative was selected in September
1994. The project is now in the preliminary engineering phase. A final
EIS should be ready for circulation in the spring of 1997. The local
share commitment to this project is 50 percent. The cost-effectiveness
index is $11 per new passenger trip. FTA has assigned a financial rating
of high to this project. Through fiscal year 1997, Congress has
appropriated $16,360,000 for this project.
Denver Southwest corridor LRT. --The Committee recommends
$30,000,000 for the Denver Southwest corridor light rail transit [LRT]
project. The total FFGA amount for this 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. The FFGA funding schedule for
this project provides for $25,000,000 in fiscal year 1998 new starts
funds. The administration has requested $21,400,000 in fiscal year 1998.
Through fiscal year 1997, $2,830,000 has been provided to this project.
To date, $1,490,000 has been obligated to the project. This project is
currently in the final design stage. The cost-effectiveness index is $3
per new passenger trip.
East Side access project, New York .--The Committee has provided
$50,000,000 for the East Side access project which will link the Long
Island Railroad to Grand Central Station and New York's East Side. The
funds provided are for right-of-way acquisition, construction
management, project management, and related costs such as value
engineering, constructability reviews, and peer review. The 63d Street
Tunnel, now used by subway trains, has a lower level built for future
use by Long Island Railroad trains, and this link is expected to reduce
the need for passengers to backtrack from Penn Station on New York's
West Side to their destinations on the East Side.
Florida (Miami) Tri-County commuter rail. --The Committee recommends
$12,000,000 for the tri-county commuter rail project. The Tri-County
Commuter Rail Authority [Tri-Rail] operates a 70-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 stage. Through fiscal year 1997, Congress has appropriated
$43,320,000 in section 5309 new starts funds for Tri-Rail improvements.
Information concerning the local share commitment to the program,
cost-effectiveness index, and financial plan has not been finalized. The
estimated total cost of the project is $438,000,000.
Galveston rail trolley system .--The Committee recommends $4,000,000
to expand the existing Galveston Island rail trolley system by 3.2
miles, to connect the University of Texas Medical Branch, the island's
largest employer, to downtown Galveston. No appropriations have been
previously provided for this project.
Griffin light rail transit line .--The Committee recommends
$2,000,000 for the planned 16-mile light rail transit line from downtown
Hartford, CT, to Bradley International Airport. The first 12 miles of
the project, which would run over rail right-of-way owned by the State
and by Amtrak, as well as an at-grade segment in the city of Hartford,
is estimated to cost $250,000,000. The project has previously received a
total of $990,000 in Federal funds, toward preliminary engineering and
developing an environmental impact statement.
Hollis to Ketchikan, AK, ferry project .--The Committee recommends
that FTA deobligate the $6,390,000 that was provided to the
Hollis-Ketchikan ferry in fiscal year 1997. These funds shall be
reprogrammed to the available fiscal year 1998 new fixed guideway
systems funds, increasing the total available funding in the Committee's
recommendation to $786,390,000. Further funding of the Hollis-Ketchikan
ferry project, which includes a new passenger terminal at Hollis and a
new 196-foot sheltered-deck ferry vessel, will be included under the
Federal Highway Administration's discretionary ferries program in
future.
Houston Metro regional bus plan. --The Committee recommends
$51,100,000 for the Houston Metro regional bus plan. This $625,000,000
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. The local share commitment to
this project is 20 percent. The cost-effectiveness index is $3 per new
passenger trip. FTA has determined that the grantee has the financial
capacity to build and operate this project. An FFGA was issued for this
project on December 30, 1994, which fulfilled the requirements of
section 3035(uu) of ISTEA. A total of $40,590,000 was provided to this
project in FTA's fiscal year 1997 appropriation. The FFGA funding
schedule for this project provides for $59,670,000 in fiscal year 1998
new starts funds. The administration has requested $51,070,000 in fiscal
year 1998. The remaining $121,610,000 needed to complete the project
shall be provided in fiscal years 1999 2000.
Indianapolis northeast corridor .--The Committee recommends
$1,500,000 for a major investment study to determine the feasibility of
commuter rail service linking downtown Indianapolis with northern
suburban areas in Marion and Hamilton Counties. The primary route for
this service would use an abandoned rail line linking Noblesville in
Hamilton County with Union Station in downtown Indianapolis.
Jackson, MS, intermodal corridor project .--The Committee recommends
$3,000,000 for preliminary engineering of the Jackson, MS, intermodal
corridor. The corridor extends from the Jackson State University campus
through downtown Jackson to the Jackson International Airport. The
amount of $5,500,000 was appropriated for this project in fiscal year
1997.
Los Angeles, MOS 3 project .--The 23-mile, $5,700,000,000 Metro Red
Line rail project is planned as minimum operable segments [MOS's] for
funding purposes. ISTEA defined MOS 3 to include three Metro Rail
extensions including the North Hollywood extension, the East Side
extension, and the midcity extension. A full funding grant agreement has
been signed, committing $1,416,490,000 in funding. To date, Congress has
appropriated $510,227,000 including $70,000,000 in fiscal year 1997.
The Committee recommends $51,000,000 for the project. None of the
funds provided to the Los Angeles MOS 3 project shall be available until
(1) the LACMTA produces an adopted recovery plan and a financially
constrained long-range transportation plan, including compliance with
the consent decree entered in 1996 for enhanced bus service; (2) the FTA
conducts a final review and accepts the plans; (3) the General
Accounting Office and the Department of Transportation's inspector
general conduct an independent analysis of the plans and provide such
analysis to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations; and (4)
until after the FTA has reviewed the General Accounting Office and
inspector general's analyses and certifies to the Committees on
Appropriations that the fiscal management of the project meet or exceed
accepted U.S. Government standards.
Maryland commuter rail [MARC]. --The Committee recommends
$35,000,000 for the MARC commuter rail project. Planned system
extensions would provide service to Washington, DC, from both Waldorf
and Frederick, MD. FTA has provided planning funds to the Tri-County
Council for Southern Maryland for a major investment study [MIS] to
evaluate transit alternatives in the Waldorf area. The MIS is expected
to be completed in 1997. 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 and the
new equipment and station improvements. An FFGA was issued for the
Frederick extension and capital improvement projects in June 1995 for
$105,250,000. Through fiscal year 1997, Congress has appropriated
$56,740,000 applied to the FFGA for this project (and $33,250,000 not
included in the FFGA). The FFGA funding schedule calls for $31,480,000
in new starts funding in fiscal year 1998. The administration's request
includes $26,940,000 for this project with $21,580,000 to be provided
between fiscal years 1999 and 2000. To date, $57,030,000 has been
obligated to the project.
Memphis, TN, Main Street trolley extension. --The Committee
recommends $1,000,000 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 is now under construction. This line will serve existing and
proposed developments along the Mississippi River and connect 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. To date, Congress has appropriated
$4,750,000 for the Memphis regional rail plan.
Nassau hub rail link EIS .--The Committee recommends $500,000 for an
environmental impact statement [EIS] for the proposed Nassau hub rail
link project. This first stage of the project is expected to cost around
$50,000,000. The Committee notes that the Nassau County Legislature has
committed financing to the project, approving a $500,000 bond to finance
the preparation of surveys and plans for improvements to Memorial
Coliseum and for the rail link. The funds provided in this bill would
help determine the environment impact the project would have on the
Nassau County region.
New Jersey urban core. --The Committee recommends $91,000,000 for
the New Jersey urban core project, and directs that $27,000,000 shall go
toward the Secaucus transfer and $64,000,000 shall go toward the
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; Hudson-Bergen line; Newark Airport-Elizabeth transit
link; Northeast corridor signal system; a rail connection between Penn
Station, Newark, and Broad Street Station, Newark; and improvements to
New York Penn Station. 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. An FFGA was
issued for the Secaucus transfer project in December 1994 to provide a
total of $444,250,000 through fiscal year 1998, including funds provided
in prior years. The Secaucus transfer project consists of a three-level
transfer station allowing commuters on the Main line, Bergen County
line, Pascack Valley line, and Port Jervis line to transfer to Northeast
corridor commuter trains destined to Penn Station in midtown Manhattan
or Penn Station in Newark. The project is currently under construction.
The Secaucus transfer project received an appropriation of $105,530,000
in fiscal year 1997. The project's FFGA funding schedule calls for
$26,990,000 in new starts funding in fiscal year 1998, the amount
reflected in the administration request for fiscal year 1998. The FFGA
funding schedule for the Hudson-Bergen line includes $64,000,000 in
fiscal year 1998. The administration request for fiscal year 1998 is
$54,780,000. The Hudson-Bergen project is a 20.5-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 10-mile initial operating segment is in
preliminary engineering. The $694,000,000 (total cost) Newark-Elizabeth
light rail project, a 9-mile, 15-station light rail transit line linking
the cities of Newark and Elizabeth and Newark International Airport, is
in preliminary engineering. Through fiscal year 1997, Congress has
appropriated a total of $549,930,000 to New Jersey urban core projects.
New Orleans Canal Street corridor project .--The Regional Transit
Authority [RTA] is developing a 4.4-mile streetcar project in downtown
New Orleans. The Canal Street corridor 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 N. Anthony and Degado Community College/City Park. The
capital cost estimate is $92,600,000. The project is currently in the
preliminary engineering phase. Through fiscal year 1997, Congress has
appropriated $26,382,000. The Committee recommendation includes
$8,000,000 for the Canal Street corridor in fiscal year 1998.
Northern Indiana commuter rail (South Shore) .--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, the Committee recommends $6,000,000,
to be matched with local funds, for the purchase of additional passenger
train cars.
Oklahoma City, MAPS corridor transit system. --The Committee has
provided $2,000,000 for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area projects
[MAPS] rail trolley system. The system is estimated to cost about
$21,700,000. Project sponsors propose a 60-percent Federal/40-percent
local match.
Orlando-Lynx light rail project. --The Committee recommends
$31,800,000 for the Orlando, FL, 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 in preliminary
engineering with a capital cost of $880,000,000. In fiscal year 1997,
Congress appropriated $2,000,000 to this project.
Pittsburgh Airport busway. --The Committee recommends $8,000,000 for
the airport busway project. The Port Authority [PATransit] is
constructing a 20-mile busway in the airport corridor between downtown
Pittsburgh and the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport. Phase 1 of
the project is a 7-mile busway from Carnegie to downtown Pittsburgh.
Phase 1 also includes a 1.1-mile HOV facility comprised of a
rehabilitated Wabash Tunnel and a new bridge across the Monongahela
River. In the remaining 12 miles of the corridor, from Carnegie to the
airport, buses will operate in mixed traffic on the relatively
uncongested Parkway West [I 279]. Phase 1 was originally estimated to
cost $326,800,000. The busway project is presently under construction.
The local share commitment to the project is 21 percent. The
cost-effectiveness index is $4 per new passenger trip. FTA has
determined that the grantee has the financial capacity to build and
operate this project. An FFGA was issued for this project in October
1994. The FFGA commits $121,000,000 in section 5309 new start funds.
Through fiscal year 1997, Congress appropriated $130,930,000 in new
start funds for the project including $22,700,000 in prior-year
deobligated funds that were applied to the project in fiscal year 1996.
The FFGA funding commitment for this project has now been completed. New
starts funds totaling $130,930,000 have been obligated to the project,
so no appropriations remain unobligated. The Committee encourages the
Administrator to work with the Port Authority of Allegheny County to
resolve outstanding issues with the airport busway project submittal.
Portland Westside LRT project. --The Committee recommends
$63,400,000 for the Portland Westside LRT project. Tri-County
Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon [Tri-Met] is building a
$963,520,000 (total funding) light rail transit extension from downtown
Portland, west through Beaverton, to a terminus in downtown Hillsboro.
In downtown Portland, the 18-mile extension will connect to the existing
Banfield LRT line [MAX] that operates between Portland and Gresham. The
project is now under construction. 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
$590,060,000. An additional $40,000,000 was added to the project in
fiscal year 1996. Through fiscal year 1997, Congress has appropriated
$530,280,000 in new start funds. The FFGA funding schedule for the
Portland Westside LRT project includes $74,070,000 in fiscal year 1998.
The administration request for fiscal year 1998 is $63,390,000. To date,
all appropriated funds have been obligated with no prior-year
appropriations remaining unobligated.
Research Triangle Park regional transit plan. --The Committee
recommends $14,000,000 for the Research Triangle Park transit plan in
Raleigh-Durham, NC. In fiscal year 1997, Congress appropriated
$2,000,000 to this project.
Sacramento. --The Committee recommends $20,300,000 for the
Sacramento south corridor project. The Sacramento Regional Transit
District [RTD] is proposing a 6.3-mile, $220,300,000, LRT line on Union
Pacific Railroad right-of-way. This will be phase 1 of a planned
11.3-mile extension in the south Sacramento corridor. The local share
commitment to this project is 49 percent. The cost-effectiveness index
is $6 per new passenger trip. FTA has rated the capital finance plan for
phase 1 as high. The administration has announced plans to negotiate an
FFGA with Sacramento to provide a commitment of $113,200,000 in new
starts funds for the 6.3-mile extension. Through fiscal year 1997,
$9,920,000 has been appropriated for this project. To date, $1,980,000
has been obligated to the project.
Roaring Fork Valley rail .--The Committee recommends $2,000,000 for
the initial development of the Roaring Fork Valley rail project, located
in the corridor extending from Aspen, CO, to Glenwood Springs, CO. This
project was created as a result of the major feasibility study and
environmental analysis completed on Highway 82 by the Colorado
Department of Transportation [CDOT]. State Highway 82 is currently the
only transportation corridor between Glenwood Springs and Aspen, and it
is the most congested two-lane highway in Colorado. The corridor has
been designated as one of the top three priority corridors for passenger
rail service by CDOT.
Salt Lake City LRT. --The Committee recommends $84,000,000 for the
Salt Lake City south LRT project. Utah Transit Authority [UTA] plans to
construct a 15-mile light rail transit [LRT] line from downtown Salt
Lake City to suburban areas to the south. The LRT line would 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. The
ground-breaking ceremony for this project was held in April 1997. The
local share commitment to this project is 23 percent. The
cost-effectiveness index is $4 per new passenger trip. FTA has
negotiated an FFGA with UTA committing $237,400,000 in new starts funds
to the project. Total cost of the project is $312,500,000. Through
fiscal year 1997, a total of $73,390,000 has been appropriated by
Congress to this project, of which $66,790,000 applies toward the FFGA.
The Committee notes that the designation of Salt Lake City as host of
the Winter Olympics in 2002 makes urgent the completion of this project.
The Committee anticipates that the funds provided will be fully
obligated in fiscal year 1998.
Salt Lake City regional commuter system .--The Committee recommends
$8,000,000 to be used for both implementation of an interim commuter
rail service from Provo to Salt Lake to mitigate the impacts to traffic
of the I 15 construction and for planning for a comprehensive system
serving the corridor from Brigham City on the north to Payson on the
south. The implementation costs include station construction, equipment
transport, insurance, staff training, and maintenance facility and parts
establishment, as well as operating assistance. The planning funds will
be used to develop an implementation plan for fully implementing
commuter rail in the entire study corridor. This project is an integral
part of the strategy to meet the transportation needs of the area as
host of the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Seattle-Renton-Tacoma light rail project. --The Committee recommends
$24,000,000 for the Seattle-Renton-Tacoma light rail project. The three
county Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority [RTA] Board has
adopted a 10-year regional plan. The plan, scaled down from a 1995
proposal, is valued at $3,900,000,000 in proposed transportation
improvements, and includes substantial commuter rail service in the
region (principally between Seattle and Tacoma) as well as LRT and
expanded bus service. A major investment study is currently underway. An
appropriation of $2,980,000 was made to the project in fiscal year 1997.
Springfield-Branson, MO, commuter rail line .--The Committee
recommends $500,000 for the development of the Springfield-Branson
commuter rail line.
St. Louis Metrolink (St. Clair County, IL) corridor .--The Committee
recommends $30,000,000 for the St. Clair County corridor LRT. The FFGA
funding schedule for this St. Louis Metrolink project calls for
$35,000,000 in fiscal year 1998. The administration request for fiscal
year 1998 is $29,960,000. The East-West Gateway Coordinating Council
[EWGCC] has completed a major investment study of transit alternatives
for the corridor between downtown East St. Louis, IL, and the
Mid-America Airport in St. Clair County. The selected alternative is a
27-mile LRT extension with a total cost of $431,500,000. The FFGA new
starts amount for the initial 17 miles of this alternative is
$243,930,000. The local share commitment to this project is 28 percent,
and a medium/high rating for financial capacity has been assigned by
FTA. The cost-effectiveness index is $23 per new passenger trip for the
full 27-mile project. Through fiscal year 1997, $48,190,000 has been
allocated to this project. Congress appropriated $32,000,000 to this
project in fiscal year 1997. To date, $48,190,000 has been obligated and
no money remains unobligated.
Charlotte transitway .--The Committee is encouraged by efforts of
the city of Charlotte, NC, to construct a transitway system, utilizing
abandoned railroad tracks that spoke from the suburbs into the center of
the city.
MASS TRANSIT CAPITAL FUND
(Liquidation of Contract Authorization)
(Highway Trust Fund)
Appropriations, 1997 ($2,300,000,000)
Budget estimate, 1998 (2,350,000,000)
Committee recommendation (2,350,000,000)
The bill includes $2,350,000,000 to liquidate obligations incurred
under contract authority provided in section 21 of the Urban Mass
Transportation Act of 1964, as amended.
WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY [WMATA]
Appropriations, 1997 $200,000,000
Budget estimate, 1998 (highway trust fund) 200,000,000
Committee recommendation 160,000,000
Public Law 96 184 (Stark-Harris legislation) enacted January 3, 1980,
authorized a total of $1,700,000,000 for construction on the Washington
Metrorail System. In addition, the National Capital Transportation
Amendments of 1990, Public Law 101 551, authorized another
$1,300,000,000 in Federal capital assistance. Through fiscal year 1997,
$1,049,700,000 has been appropriated, leaving a balance of $250,300,000.
