The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a $10.3 million grant for the Northgate Transfer Center Development Project, one of 52 transportation projects in 37 states that will receive a total of approximately $474 million from DOT’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2013 discretionary grant program.
Among these, nearly half – 25 projects funded at $123.4 million – support rural areas of the country. Deputy Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillan was in El Paso along with Mayor Oscar Leeser and local officials to announce the funds
“These TIGER projects are the best argument you can make for investment in our transportation infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The projects TIGER supports ensure a stronger transportation system for future generations by repairing existing roads and bridges, connecting people to new jobs and opportunities, and contributing to our nation’s economic growth.”
The $26.9 million Northgate Transfer Center Development Project will transform the site of a former suburban shopping mall into a modern transportation hub in northern El Paso — the fastest growing area of the city — and connect thousands of transit riders to the Dyer Corridor bus rapid transit (BRT) line, one of four new BRT lines planned for El Paso. The corridor will serve the U.S. Army Base at Fort Bliss, the five points transit center and the city’s central business district. The new transit hub is also the centerpiece of a planned transit-oriented development project to create a vibrant, walkable community around the transfer center.
“This TIGER grant is a big win for the city of El Paso, where Sun Metro serves roughly nine out of 10 metro residents who need to get to work, school, medical appointments and elsewhere,” said McMillan. “This is one of the projects we’re funding through TIGER across the country that will specifically help communities create ladders of opportunity for working families eager to succeed and participate in their communities.”
In addition to the TIGER grant announced today, FTA previously announced it is providing $13.5 million for the Mesa Corridor BRT Line, which is currently under construction and expected to open next year. The Mesa BRT Line will serve western El Paso and connect riders to the Dyer BRT Line at the city’s downtown transfer center.
The highly competitive TIGER program offers one of the only federal funding possibilities for large, multi-modal projects that often are not suitable for other federal funding sources. These federal funds leverage money from private sector partners, states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations and transit agencies. The 2013 TIGER round alone supports $1.8 billion in overall project investments.
