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Last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the release of $961.3 million in stimulus funds for various state and local transit systems.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will be used to purchase new vehicles, increase safety and security, and construct, rehabilitate or maintain facilities and infrastructure.

The funds include:
• $90.1 million to the Utah Transit Authority for advanced payment of the “New Starts” Mid-Jordan light-rail line, which calls for building nine stations and one additional platform, and modifying an existing station;
• $87.2 million to the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, to obtain 19 light-rail cars and improve bus systems;
• $66.7 million to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to continue building the Eastside light-rail extension;
• $51.5 million to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority to improve stations and transit facilities, install tunnel signage and universal interlockings, complete double-track and signal system/track circuit improvements, and repair and replace commuter-rail bridges; and
• $10.2 million to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to rehabilitate rail stations, improve track and repair grade crossings.

To date, the USDOT has made $48.1 billion in stimulus funds available for rail, highway, shipyard, bridge and airport construction and repair projects nationwide, including $8.4 billion for transit capital and operating improvements. The department has approved funds for about 6,000 transportation projects.