Iowa Transportation Commission approves public transit infrastructure grant program funding

More than $1.1 million in funding was approved by the Iowa Transportation Commission at its Aug. 17 meeting to support three public transit projects. 

The projects are funded under the state Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Fund for new or improved facilities to support public transit services.

Appropriations are typically made available each year by the Iowa General Assembly that allow transit systems to apply for funding of up to 80 percent of project costs. To qualify, a transit system must secure local funding for a minimum of 20 percent of the project costs. 

The three projects approved by the commission are:

• West Burlington Vehicle Storage Facility (Region 16): $400,000 
• Remodeled Bus Storage and Administrative Facility (Cedar Rapids): $461,395
• New heating and air conditioning system (CyRide - Ames): $292,093

“The Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Program is an essential source of funding for urgent facility needs of Iowa’s public transit agencies. This program enables transit systems to construct, renovate and maintain facilities that are critical to the safe and efficient operation of the systems and maintenance of transit vehicles,” said Sree Mitra, transit program manager, Public Transit Bureau for the Iowa Department of Transportation.