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    1. Bus

    Albany and Jacksonville BRT projects secure a combined $43.5 million in CIG funds

    Jan. 28, 2020
    CDTA’s River Corridor BRT was awarded $26.9 million and JTA’s First Coast Flyer Southwest Corridor BRT was awarded $16.6 million.
    CDTA
    A rendering of a future stop on CDTA's River Corridor/Blue Line BRT project.
    A rendering of a future stop on CDTA's River Corridor/Blue Line BRT project.

    Two bus rapid transit (BRT) projects, one in New York State and the other in Florida, have secured grants totaling $43.5 million through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program.  

    The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) was awarded a $26.9 million grant for the River Corridor BRT project and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) was awarded $16.6 million for the First Coast Flyer Southwest Corridor BRT project.

    U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said both projects would “provide better access to jobs, educational opportunities and other services.”

    CDTA’s River Corridor/Blue Line BRT project is a new 16-mile BRT line along the Hudson River connecting Waterford to downtown Albany, N.Y. The project includes 30 stations, transit signal priority, replacement of 10 traffic signals, queue bypass lanes in three locations, real-time bus arrival information and construction of two park and ride facilities. The total project cost is $42.5 million with $26.9 million in funding requested through FTA’s CIG Program.

    JTA
    JTA's First Coast Flyer Southwest Corridor BRT project is the final element of a five-phase plan to bring BRT to the area.
    JTA's First Coast Flyer Southwest Corridor BRT project is the final element of a five-phase plan to bring BRT to the area.
    JTA’s $16.6-million CIG grant covers half of the $33.2 million project cost to implement the 12.9-mile First Coast Flyer Southwest Corridor BRT project. JTA is working in coordination with the city of Jacksonville and the Florida Department of Transportation on the BRT line that will connect the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla to the Orange Park Mall in Clay County. The project includes traffic signal priority at 24 intersections, real-time bus arrival information at stations, two queue jump lanes and the purchase of 15 40-foot compressed natural gas buses.

    FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams said FTA was proud to work with both CDTA and JTA on projects that will “provide fast and efficient service” while “improving mobility and access.”

    These are the third and fourth BRT projects to be awarded CIG funds in a short period of time, with FTA touring the Pacific Northwest last week and awarding BRT projects in Portland, Ore., and Spokane, Wash., with CIG funds, as well as Sound Transit’s Federal Way light-rail extension with CIG funds and a loan.

    About the Author

    Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

    Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

    Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content. 

    She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

    She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.

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