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RTA Board Approves 43 Transit Projects Throughout the Region |
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Grants will be used to improve efficiency & effectiveness of local transit
Chicago – The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors today approved funding for 43 planning, operating and capital transit projects. The projects are located throughout the six-county RTA service region that consists of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. The RTA plans to allocate over $18 million in federal, state and RTA funding to support innovative projects that will increase transit usage and provide multi-modal connections.
Communities, counties and transportation providers were invited to apply for grants through four planning programs:
- Community Planning Program: Formerly known as the Regional Technical Assistance Program (RTAP), the Community Planning program provides funding for local planning projects that focus on transit-oriented development, local transit improvements, and coordinated paratransit systems. The program is available to units of local government only.
- Subregional Planning Program: The Subregional Planning program provides funding for regional planning projects including corridor studies, countywide transit improvements, and other regional transit initiatives. The program is available to units of local government and the RTA Service Boards.
- Job Access Reverse Commute / New Freedom (JARC/NF) Program: JARC/NF targets operating and capital projects that enhance mobility for older adults, individuals with low incomes and persons with disabilities, and it addresses reverse commute markets and access to jobs in the region.
- Innovation, Coordination and Enhancement (ICE) Program: The Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) program targets operating and capital projects that enhance coordination and integration of public transportation or that develop and implement innovations to improve the quality and delivery of public transportation. The program is available to units of local government, transportation agencies and the RTA Service Boards.
Out of 62 proposals submitted, 43 were recommended to the Board for funding. Applicants are required to provide a certain percentage of the total project cost. The programs are designed to implement legislative mandates approved in January for the RTA.
“These programs will help improve efficiency and effectiveness of local transit, improve access to jobs and help to increase mobility for our region’s seniors, people with disabilities and the general public,” said Steve Schlickman, RTA Executive Director.
The RTA asked the public to comment on the list of projects before today’s Board action. Nearly 70 comments were submitted with a vast majority of those being positive and in support of the projects.
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