The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced it is accepting expressions of interest from transit project sponsors for the Pilot Program for Expedited Project Delivery.  A notice appears in the Federal Register. 

“Expediting transportation projects is a key part of meeting our nation’s infrastructure needs,” said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. “This Pilot Program’s streamlined federal review provides an excellent opportunity for transit providers to demonstrate accelerated project delivery, and innovative financing arrangements, in order to speed up transit improvements for the public.” 

The Pilot Program for Expedited Project Delivery is aimed at faster delivery of new transit capital projects that by law must utilize public-private partnerships, be operated and maintained by employees of an existing public transportation provider, and have a federal share not exceeding 25% of the project cost.

FTA intends to work with selected project sponsors to further define the steps that must be completed before a construction grant can be awarded under the Pilot Program. FTA is particularly interested in working with project sponsors who are considering value capture techniques as part of their project financing.

The Pilot Program for Expedited Project Delivery is authorized under the FAST Act.  The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is Nov. 13, 2018.

The Pilot Program also supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s commitment to follow the President’s One Federal Decision framework to cut red tape and deliver infrastructure projects and safety improvements more quickly and spurring economic growth, according to FTA.