FTA opens application period for $225-million transit pilot program
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $225 million in available grant funding through the Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) Pilot Program of which $100 million is available for allocation.
Last summer, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority became the first transit agency to be accepted into the pilot program and was awarded $125 million for BART Silicon Valley Phase II through the program.
"This innovative pilot program will expedite transportation infrastructure projects in several communities around the country," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The program aims to achieve faster delivery of new transit capital projects by streamlining the project delivery of the projects that meet program requirements.
"By encouraging innovative partnerships and funding from a variety of sources, projects can be completed more quickly, making better use of taxpayer dollars, and bringing new transit service to growing communities," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams.
The EPD Pilot Program is authorized by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). By law, projects must utilize public-private partnerships, be operated and maintained by employees of an existing public transportation provider and have a federal cost share not exceeding 25 percent of the project cost.
The FAST Act specifies that not more than eight projects can be awarded grants under the EPD Pilot Program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until up to eight grants are awarded, subject to funding availability.
The NOFO describes how to apply for funding under the EPD Pilot Program and includes the criteria FTA will use to evaluate proposed projects for funding.
This EPD Pilot Program also supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s commitment to follow the President Donald Trump’s One Federal Decision framework to cut red tape and deliver infrastructure projects and safety improvements more quickly to spur economic growth.
