The Federal Transit Administration has about $4.5 billion available in 2024 for transit projects of all types. This includes bus rapid transit projects, light rail, and commuter rail initiatives.
In December, the FRA announced $8.1 billion in funding for passenger rail projects. The funding is a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act that Congress passed several years ago, but the funding now is flowing aggressively.
The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees the Reconnecting Communities Program and supports projects that remove or mitigate barriers to community connectivity. Benefits that result include better mobility, economic stimulus, equity, and citizen benefits.
This year’s allocation is the largest that has ever been dispensed partly because of disruptions in the supply chain caused by COVID-19. The federal funding will support track repair, rail upgrades, bridge work, and construction of new rail lines and facilities.
Upcoming rail projects will tend to have similar components, but they will differ in size and type. Planning documents indicate that commonalities will include enhancing operations, acquiring new technology, and initiating ways to efficiently accommodate more riders.
Bus rapid transit (BRT) system activities should not be overlooked if partnering with the government is of interest. This is a “hot” marketplace for contracting and collaboration.
Mobility is now a major focus of local infrastructure planning. It is a critical component of almost everything public officials want and need to accomplish.
Transit authorities throughout the country are quickly becoming big-time developers…and in more ways than one might have ever thought possible.
Public officials in Austin, Texas hope that an ongoing multi-billion-dollar transit authority project there will reduce automobile traffic by 50% when completed. Whether that goal is reachable or not is undetermined, but the project is indicative of a shift in public transit throughout the country.
Rail projects are being launched in states throughout the country. Much of the funding requires a focus on projects that improve safety while also enhancing and/or upgrading rail infrastructure so the projects reflect that mandate.
Someone asked me recently if public-private partnerships (P3s) are just a fad or a delivery method that will ultimately be the country’s future. There’s no doubt about the answer. Public-private partnerships are here to stay.
In many states, collaborative initiatives have been launched to repair aging infrastructure, install clean energy projects, initiate smart city technology and build social infrastructure.
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