Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility

FTA Announces Funding for Livability-Related Transit Projects

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced on Tuesday the availability of $280 million for transit projects as part of the Obama Administration's Livability Initiative, a joint venture of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the FTA press release, $130 million will be available for streetcars and other urban circulator systems, while the remainder will be made available to both urban and rural communities:

A second pot of money totaling $150 million in unallocated discretionary Bus and Bus Facility funds will be available for projects that will foster the preservation and enhancement of urban and rural communities by providing new mobility options which provide access to jobs, healthcare, and education, and/or contribute to the redevelopment of neighborhoods into pedestrian-friendly vibrant environments.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) plans to announce grants early in 2010.

2 Comments

  1. rw fields sr
    Dec 12, 2009 at 11:49 am

    is anythng available for oakridge or – knoxville tenn?

  2. JWM
    Dec 15, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    The Federal Register for December 8 has more details, see the links on this page:
    http://www.fta.dot.gov/laws/leg_reg_86.html

    The Livability Bus Program grants can be used for activities eligible for funding under the Section 5309 Bus and Bus Facilities program. The Federal Register says
    "Eligible applicants under this program
    are Direct Recipients under the Section
    5307 Urbanized Area Formula program,
    States, and Indian Tribes. Proposals for
    funding eligible projects in rural
    (nonurbanized) areas must be submitted
    as part of a consolidated State
    application with the exception of
    nonurbanized projects to Indian Tribes."

    The Urban Circulator program provides grants for activities eligible for funding under the Section 5309 “New Starts/Small Starts” program.

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