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Austin Wins $19 Million in Federal Transportation Grants
Washington, DC,
July 14, 2009
Austin has been approved for $19,400,000 in new federal transportation funding in the latest House Appropriations Committee Action, thanks to the advocacy of Texas Congressmen John Carter (R-31) and Lamar Smith (TX-21). The funds were approved last night by the Transportation and HUD (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation and HUD Appropriations bill. The money will be used to purchase para-transit vehicles for Capital Metro, as well as new technology to improve bus service and traffic congestion. The bill must be approved by the full House and Senate before being signed into law by the President. "These funds are very important in helping our Central Texas transportation infrastructure stay ahead of population growth," said Congressman Carter. "We can't afford to let our public transportation system fall behind. I am especially pleased we were able to include funds that allow the disabled to more easily use the system." $1,250,000 was received under the request of Congressman Carter, a member of the Appropriations Committee and the THUD Subcommittee, for the Captial Metropolitan Transportation Authority Accessible Fleet Replacement for the purchase of para-transit vehicles. The funding will help Captial Metro replace vans and sedans that serve persons with disabilities. $500,000 was included at the request of Congressman Smith for the City of Austin’s intelligent transportation systems (ITS). The funding will help the City provide Austin residents and visitors with mobility information related to traffic congestion, transit alternatives, access routes into downtown, and access routes to major events. "Austin is a world-class city and this federal funding will help to make its transportation system world-class," said Congressman Smith. "Whether you rely on Capital Metro or drive a car, this funding will benefit the whole community." $17,390,000 is for Capital MetroRapid enhanced bus service, which will include two initial routes: North Lamar/South Congress and Burnet/South Lamar. Capital MetroRapid will offer better passenger amenities including real-time bus arrival information at all MetroRapid stops, 10-minute frequency during peak and 15 minutes during off-peak service with reduced travel times up to 20 percent.
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