RTA Highlights Infrastructure Needs

April 15, 2015

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has more than $100 million in unfunded rail needs to bring our system to a state of good repair.  This includes track work, signal projects, station reconstructions, track bridges, power, right-of-way work, rail car parts, and equipment needs.

RTA has been working closely with area stakeholders and speaking to legislators at the state and national level to help create awareness of these and other capital needs — all while calling for a long-term, sustainable transportation funding bill. Efforts have been underway throughout February and March, and recently culminated in an event on April 9, Stand up for Transportation Day.

“Collective action is needed by elected officials to approve such a bill, so we are joining forces to throw the spotlight on the tremendous needs not just for transit, but also for roads and bridges – all which desperately need to brought to a state of good repair,” said  Joe Calabrese, RTA’s general manager and CEO.

“We need to stand up for transportation at the grass roots level and educate — and advocate — in each community throughout the United States,” Calabrese said

In May, the transportation funding bill expires and Ohio — and all states which rely on the much needed federal dollars to fund highway and transit projects — will be without a funding source.

“Before we see a massive deterioration of our transportation infrastructure, we must take action,” Calabrese added.

In Cleveland, RTA is speaking loudly, hosting media briefings for the last few months.  As a result, RTA has been featured in numerous print and broadcast interviews on the topic.  RTA also hosted media and elected officials on a tour of its crumbling rail infrastructure at Tower City.  A sizeable photo display depicted repaired rail right-of-ways in contrast to track work that awaits funding and repair.

“We are showcasing the glaring need for federal funding and hope to begin to be able to repair our rail and bus infrastructure,” said Calabrese.