COTA Signs $37 Million Grant Agreement with FTA for CMAX BRT Project

On Wed., June 1, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown joined Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) President/CEO W. Curtis Stitt to sign a $37.45 million funding agreement for COTA’s CMAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

More than 50 elected officials, business and community leaders gathered at COTA’s Linden Transit Center to witness the signing and celebrate the new transit technology that will enhance the Cleveland Avenue corridor when operation begins in January 2018.

Program speakers included Stitt, Flowers and Brown, as well as donna Hicho, executive director of the Greater Linden Development Corporation.

“COTA’s CMAX BRT will introduce new transit technology to our community – making service faster, more direct and more accessible,” said Stitt. “We are extremely fortunate to be the recipient of this generous grant from the Federal Transit Administration. Thank you to Senator Sherrod Brown and FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers for their support and leadership in funding the transportation that this community deserves.”

COTA’s CMAX will link the northeast suburbs with downtown Columbus, connecting residents to major employment centers, medical facilities and educational institutions. The line will bring critical service to over 211,000 residents while encouraging economic development along the corridor. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2016.