The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has finalized a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with Sacramento Regional Transit, which will allow the South Line Light Rail Expansion to move forward.

The FFGA formally commits the federal government to partially fund this crucial light rail expansion project. Once the FFGA completes the mandatory 30-day Congressional review period, FTA will execute it, allowing federal funds to be released and construction to begin.

The expansion project includes four stations and will extend the Blue Line an additional 4.3 miles south to Cosumnes River College, connecting downtown and North Sacramento to South Sacramento. It is expected to generate 2,210 new transit trips and nearly 2,000 hours of user benefit on an average weekday.

Project construction could begin in early 2013 and is set to be completed by September, 2015.  It will create a total of 1,700 direct and indirect jobs and will cost $270 million, 50% of which is covered by federal funds.

Several projects associated with the South Line Light Rail Expansion have already been approved and construction has begun. One year ago, construction began on a five-story parking structure at the Cosumnes River College Station, which will provide more than 2,000 parking spaces, solar panels on the roof, and electric vehicle charging stations. It is expected to be completed in spring 2013.