Transit Authorities will use funds to purchase buses, renovate facilities, maintain equipment
Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey announced that the Department of Transportation has awarded $18.6 million in funds from the Recovery Act to Pennsylvania for transit improvements.
“I am pleased to see the Recovery Act at work in Pennsylvania,” Senator Specter said. “Investing in the future of Pennsylvania’s transit systems will create jobs now and ensure that we have the infrastructure to meet the growing need for public transit service.”
“This funding will create Pennsylvania jobs and invest in our infrastructure,” said Senator Casey. “These grants from the Recovery Act will also ease the burden on local governments, improve public transportation and help to protect our environment.”
Grants have been awarded to the following Transit Authorities in Pennsylvania:
• $12.5 million to Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) for the renovation of Malvern Station, including construction of a new pedestrian underpass, new energy efficient lighting, expansion and improvements to the existing parking lot and other related exterior improvements.
• $2.4 million to York County Transportation Authority for administrative and maintenance facility property acquisition.
• $2 million to Cumberland-Dauphin-Harrisburg Transit Authority to purchase four buses and bus shelters.
• $1.7 million to Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority for preventive maintenance and security equipment.
“The Recovery Act was put in place quickly to rescue the economy from the worst recession since the Great Depression and rebuild it for a stronger future,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure is a key part of that prescription for strength. It creates jobs today and builds a better, more sustainable economy moving forward.”
According to the Department of Transportation, the grants are among 881 totaling $7.5 billion the Federal Transit Administration has awarded since President Obama signed the Recovery Act in February 2009. So far, Recovery Act funds have supported the purchase of nearly 12,000 buses, vans and rail vehicles, the construction or renovation of more than 850 transit facilities, and the performance of more than $620 million in preventive maintenance, which has helped to save transit service and jobs, and enhance service reliability.
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