President Obama’s FY 2014 transportation budget request to the U.S. Congress

President Obama’s FY 2014 transportation budget request to the U.S. Congress

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Transit Administration

On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), reauthorizing surface transportation programs through fiscal year 2014. Each reauthorization amends the Federal Transit Laws codified in 49 USC Chapter 53. MAP-21 took effect on October 1, 2012.

Department of Transportation

The President’s FY 2014 budget request for the Department of Transportation (DOT) is $77 billion – 6% above the FY 2012 enacted levels. The President’s Budget also includes a $50 billion program to provide immediate transportation investments in key areas. These resources will fund needed investments in our vital transportation systems while at the same time creating jobs and strengthening our Nation’s economy.

Federal Transit Administration

The FY 2014 President’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) budget request of $10.9 billion will be used for grants to construct new public transit systems; oversee transit safety; purchase and maintain transit vehicles and equipment; support regional transportation planning efforts; and, improve the technology and service methods used in the delivery of public transportation services. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides grant funding to State, local, and Tribal governments, public and private transit operators, and other recipients to support public transit infrastructure and operations.
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Video: About President Obama’s MAP-21 Implementation
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Chairman Tom Petri (R-WI) opened a March 14, 2013 hearing focused on ensuring the Administration is implementing reforms to help streamline the surface transportation project approval process, consolidate Department of Transportation programs, improve program accountability, and other improvements included in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

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Detroit

The Federal Transit Administration has given the environmental clearance for Detroit’s $137 million M-1 Woodward Avenue (3.3-mile, 11 stations) Streetcar line through the heart of Detroit. Right-of-way acquisition and construction can now begin. M-1 is scheduled to begin operations in late 2015. This will be Detroit’s first light rail line.
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Transportation Research
Research, Development, Demonstration and Deployment
The FY 2014 President’s Budget requests $30 million to support research activities that
improve the safety, reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of the public transportation industry by investing in the development, testing, and deployment of innovative technologies, materials, and processes. FTA’s research program includes activities related to low and no emission buses and bus facilities.

Transit Cooperative Research

The FY 2014 President’s Budget requests $7 million to provide funds to the National Academy of Sciences to conduct investigative research on subjects related to public transportation.

Washington, DC

The FY 2014 President’s Budget requests $150 million to address Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) reinvestment and maintenance backlog to improve the safety and reliability of service and to expand existing system capacity to meet growing demand. This funding is a continuation of the ten-year $3 billion capital improvement program in which federal funding is matched by local and state support.

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Summary of Funding for Capital Investment Grant Program: Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014

Since publication of the FY 2013 Annual Report in February 2012, several New and Small Starts projects received construction grant agreements. In addition, several projects have been approved into preliminary engineering, final design, or Small Starts project development (prior to passage of MAP-21) or project development (after passage of MAP-21). These include the following:
New Starts Projects that Received Full Funding Grant Agreements
 Charlotte, NC –LYNX Blue Line Extension – Northeast Corridor
 Honolulu, HI – High Capacity Transit Corridor Project
 Portland, OR – Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project
 San Jose, CA – Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project
 Sacramento, CA – South Sacramento Corridor Phase 2
 San Francisco, CA – Third Street Light Rail Phase 2 – Central Subway
Small Starts Projects that Received Small Starts Grant Agreements
 Fort Collins, CO – Mason Street BRT
 Grand Rapids, MI – Silver Line BRT
 Mesa, AZ – Central Mesa Light Rail Extension
 New York, NY – Nostrand Avenue BRT
New Starts Projects Approved into Final Design under SAFETEA-LU
 Charlotte, NC –LYNX Blue Line Extension – Northeast Corridor
 Sacramento, CA – South Sacramento Corridor Phase 2
New Starts Projects Approved into Preliminary Engineering under SAFETEA-LU
 Cambridge to Medford, MA – Green Line Extension
 Fort Worth, TX – TEX Rail
New Starts Projects Approved into Project Development under MAP-21
 Denver, CO – Southeast Corridor

Small Starts Projects Approved into Project Development under MAP-21
 Columbus, OH – Northeast Corridor BRT
 El Paso, TX – Montana Corridor BRT
 Fort Lauderdale, FL – Wave Streetcar
 Lansing, MI – Michigan/Grand River BRT
 Provo, UT – Provo-Orem
 Tempe, AZ – Tempe Streetcar
 Vancouver, WA – Fourth Plain BRT

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The process to Full Grant Agreement

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Video: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood answers questions on a wide range of transportation issues

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Video: Not often seen Los Angeles Metro Red Line subway

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Video: Charlotte, North Carolina and its Light Rail CATS Lynx Blue Line
The biggest challenge of funding rail transit

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Video: Honolulu On The Move- Honolulu Rail Transit Project

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