FTA allocates $300 million to rail transit projects in Arizona, California and Washington state

A trio of rail transit projects in Arizona, California and Washington state have been allocated $100 million each by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA).  

"These federal grants to Arizona, California and Washington will improve mobility and the quality of life for those who depend on public transit every day," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The funds are provided through the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program with money appropriated for Fiscal Year 2019. FTA notes that projects accepted into the program must go through a multi-year, multi-step process according to requirements in law to be eligible for consideration to receive program funds.

"FTA continues to evaluate and advance eligible projects in the CIG program consistent with federal law," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "We are pleased to allocate funding to these projects that will improve communities in Arizona, California and Washington."

Projects receiving funds

Valley Metro’s South Central Light Rail Extension in Phoenix, Ariz., will receive $100 million in FY19 CIG funds following final FTA approval of a construction grant agreement. The project will extend light-rail 5.5 miles from downtown Phoenix to the South Mountain Village Core and includes nine stations.

“This federal investment will be critical to light rail’s future inSouth Phoenix,” said U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ-9). “We’ve long fought for this project, which is going to connect the community to new economic opportunities—connect them to jobs, education, health care, social services and more. It’s a great day for South Central Phoenix.”

On Valley Metro’s South Central light-rail extension webpage, the transit provider says the project is more than just “a train” and describing it as “a way to bring new opportunities and connections to South Phoenix residents. It’s a catalyst for positive change.”

In California, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will receive $100 million in previously approved FY18 CIG funds, as well as $100 million in FY19 CIG funds following final FTA approval of a construction grant agreement for the Westside Subway Section Three.

Section Three of the Purple Line Extension will span 2.56 miles between Century City and Westwood/VA Hospital and will include two new subway stations. Section Three has already begun some construction activities, which includes utility relocation work and preconstruction activities. Both the second and third project sections are being built by Tutor Perini O&G, a Joint Venture. The entire nine-mile line is on track to open by 2027, in time for the 2028 L.A. Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

LA Metro’s two earlier subway extension sections for the Purple Line extension have already received federal funding awards and are now under active construction. Section 3 is projected to cost $3.6 billion and LA Metro has requested $1.3 billion in FTA New Starts funding for which it expects to execute a full funding agreement “in the months ahead.” The recent allocation of funds will go toward Section Three’s existing tunneling contract, its stations, track and systems contract as well as advanced utility relocation work. 

“We are encouraged that the FTA has chosen to direct $100 million toward building the Westside Purple Line Extension Project,” said City of Inglewood Mayor and Metro Board Chair James Butts. “This money will go specifically to our third project section that will help us reach Westwood, UCLA and the West LA Medical Center. The FTA has been and continues to be a critical federal funding partner as we work to provide greater mobility options for L.A. County residents. We at Metro are deeply appreciative to Acting FTA Administrator K. Jane Williams and her outstanding staff today for making these funds available. We look forward to concluding our long-term funding agreement with the FTA for this section of the Purple Line later this year.”

LA Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington added, “The Purple Line Extension will be a game changer for L.A. County, bringing fast, frequent subway service to connect our region’s two biggest population centers.”

The third project to be allocated funding is Sound Transit’s Federal Way Light Rail Project, which will also receive $100 million in FY19 CIG funds upon final FTA approval of a construction grant agreement.

This project is a 7.8-mile light-rail extension from the Angle Lake station through the cities of SeaTac, Des Moines, Kent and Federal Way, Wash., and includes three stations. Demolition and utility relocation work is scheduled to begin this fall, with major construction activities beginning in 2020.

The funding is planned to go toward the $790 million full funding grant agreement (FFGA) that Sound Transit is seeking through the CIG program. Sound Transit is also working to secure a $629 million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan to support the Federal Way Link Extension.

“Reducing congestion on the busy I-5 corridor and strengthening public transit options in King County is a win for our environment and for families, students and workers throughout Puget Sound, and I’m thrilled to see these major investments flow to infrastructure priorities in Washington state,” said U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA).

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) added that the funding is a game-changer for commuters in South King and Pierce counties.

“This nearly eight-mile extension of the popular Link Light Rail line will greatly improve access to SeaTac and downtown Seattle for all South King and Pierce county residents,” Sen. Cantwell said. “With travel times of 15 minutes between Federal Way and SeaTac and less than 45 minutes between Kent/Des Moines Station and downtown Seattle, this key federal investment will help reduce congestion in our region, while providing better options for commuters.”

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff noted that the funding allocation represents a significant milestone in the path to securing the FFGA and expressed gratitude to government officials for their support of Sound Transit’s efforts.

“A robust federal partnership on funding this critical project will grant thousands more commuters the ability to escape ever-worsening gridlock,” Rogoff said.