Obama Budget Calls for $3.2 Billion to Upgrade Transit
President Obama's proposed fiscal-year 2012 budget includes a record $3.2 billion in funding for 28 transit construction projects across the United States.
Obama's budget, which was submitted to Congress earlier this week, recommends investing $569.3 million in 10 new transit construction projects, including rail and bus rapid-transit projects in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington state.
The proposed spending plan allocates $1.4 billion for 11 projects that previously were recommended for federal funding but had not been approved.
The proposed budget provides $835.4 million for the continued funding of seven additional rail transit projects already operational or under construction in New York City, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Northern Virginia.
"As President Obama made clear in his State of the Union address, we must win the future by investing in a modern transportation network that will enable us to out-compete the rest of the world," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said earlier this week. "The projects we are proposing to Congress are an important down payment on the president's promise to strengthen our transportation networks for the 21st century."
The Department of Transportation, in a news release, asserted that the transit projects "will increase mobility, reduce energy consumption, curb air pollution and help our nation compete to win."
"The projects we're recommending for funding this year have so far met the demanding requirements of the Federal Transit Administration's 'New Starts' program, which ensures that they represent a good investment of taxpayer dollars," said Peter Rogoff, administrator for the Federal Transit Administration. "I'm confident these projects will go a long way toward making our communities stronger, offer more transportation choices and open the door to new opportunities for millions of Americans."
New Projects in the Budget
According to the Department of Transportation, Obama's proposed FY 2012 budget includes funding for the following 10 new transit construction projects:
- Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project -- San Jose, Calif.
- Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project -- Portland, Ore.
- Draper Transit Corridor -- Salt Lake County, Utah
- Mesa, Central Mesa LRT Extension -- Mesa, Ariz.
- Fresno Area Express Blackstone/Kings Canyon BRT -- Fresno, Calif.
- JTA BRT North Corridor -- Jacksonville, Fla.
- Silver Line BRT -- Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Mesa Corridor BRT -- El Paso, Texas
- RapidRide E Line BRT -- King County, Wash.
- RapidRide F Line BRT -- King County, Wash.
About the Author
Josh Cable
Former Senior Editor
Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.
Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.
Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.
Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.
A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.