Management

Trio of transit projects approved to use federal portion of project savings to further project impacts

March 2, 2020

FTA has approved Trinity Metro, Houston Metro and JTA to reinvest the federal share of project cost savings of their CIG-funded projects back into eligible activities associated with these projects.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Trinity Metro will retain up to $38.9 million in the federal share of project cost savings to build a 2.1-mile extension of TEXRail.

Two transit projects in Texas and one in Florida will see their federal funding go a bit further following the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) approval that the project sponsors could use the federal share of project cost savings on additional activities related to the three projects.

Trinity Metro in Fort Worth, Texas, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) and Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) in Jacksonville, Fla., will be able to use a combined $64.2 million to further invest in their individual transit projects funded through the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program. Rather than the federal share of the cost savings coming back to the government, the project sponsors will use the funds to extend rail and bus systems and construct a transit facility.

"FTA considers and approves additional project activities using the federal share of a project’s cost savings," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "We encourage project sponsors who deliver complete projects under budget to discuss these options with us to maximize the benefits that cost savings can bring to their communities."

Trinity Metro opened its TEXRail project 12 months ahead of schedule and $80.6 million under budget in January 2019. Trinity Metro will retain up to $38.9 million in the federal share of project cost savings to build a $100-million, 2.1-mile extension of TEXRail from the Texas & Pacific Station to a proposed medical district, a growing area located southwest of downtown Fort Worth.

“The Fort Worth Medical District is an ideal location for the next station because of the 40,000 people who work and visit that area. Extending TEXRail is perfect for medical professionals, patients and visitors,” said Trinity Metro President and CEO Bob Baulsir.

Houston Metro has been approved to retain up to $18.5 million in the federal share of project cost savings from its Northline Extension Project to build the proposed Northline Transit Center.

About four hours south of Fort Worth, Houston Metro has been approved to retain up to $18.5 million in the federal share of project cost savings from its Northline Extension Project, which opened 18 months early and $83.8 million under budget, to build the proposed Northline Transit Center at the end of the Red Line. The center will have seven bus bays and a 660-space parking garage, costing $37 million.

"We are very pleased with the federal government's decision. As Metro continues to look for opportunities to improve mobility throughout our region, federal participation will be critical," said Houston Metro President and CEO Tom Lambert.

JTA will retain up to $6.8 million to construct a 1,200-foot bus-only extension of the East Corridor Bus Rapid Transit project.

The third project sponsor approved to reinvest the federal share of project cost savings is JTA, which will retain up to $6.8 million to construct a 1,200-foot bus-only extension of the East Corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project from the new Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC) at LaVilla to Lee Street along West Forsyth Street. JTA says the extension will connect to the existing bus lane along West Forsyth Street and will greatly mitigate safety concerns and conditions for JTA bus operators exiting the bus terminal and merging into incoming traffic from Interstate 95. Funding will also go toward the continued construction of a new pedestrian bridge that connects the JRTC at LaVilla to the Intercity Bus Terminal over West Forsyth Street, along with Americans with Disabilities Act signage and other safety improvements.

JTA completed the East Corridor BRT project 25 months early and $13.6 million under budget and the BRT extension project is estimated to cost $13.6 million.

“We are thankful that we can utilize these funds, which otherwise would’ve been returned to the FTA, to enhance our BRT network in downtown Jacksonville,” said JTA CEO Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr. “This is another example of the trust our federal partners have in the JTA to complete projects under budget and ahead of schedule.”

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.