U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx toured the nearly completed East-West Circulator bus rapid transit (BRT) project in downtown Orlando, Fla. The project will offer free transportation to thousands of hard-working families who need reliable access to Orlando’s major employers, schools, health care facilities and other services.

Secretary Foxx was joined by U.S. Reps. Corinne Brown and Alan Grayson, along with other state and local officials.

The new East-West BRT line, scheduled to open this spring, will connect area residents with several employers, like the Federal Courthouse and the Orange County Health Department, as well as such attractions as the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, the Amway sports center and a new soccer stadium.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is providing approximately $8 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds toward the $10 million East-West BRT project.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation has committed $178.6 million in FTA New Starts funding for construction of the first phase of the SunRail commuter rail project and $13 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery funding for construction of a third BRT line to link the Parramore neighborhood — one of Orlando’s lowest-income neighborhoods — to other rapid bus and commuter rail service.

Construction of the Parramore BRT line is expected to begin this spring.