The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has recently announced funding for Valley Metro’s rail projects currently under construction: the Northwest Extension Phase II, South Central Extension/Downtown Hub and Tempe Streetcar. These funds signify ongoing federal support of our projects, and the importance of transit to the growing metro Phoenix area.
Within its $2.5 billion funding recommendation for fiscal year 2022, FTA included a $58 million allocation for the Northwest Extension Phase II. This marks the third allocation for the NWEII project to date, for a total of $158 million in Capital Investment Grant (CIG) funds.
Also in the FY22 budget, FTA allocates $100 million for the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub, funding committed to earlier this year with the signing of a Full Funding Grant Agreement totaling $530 million.
Finally, on June 11, FTA announced a $17.4 million funding allocation for Tempe Streetcar from the American Rescue Plan. This funding is in addition to $75 million in CIG funds received in September of 2019.
In a release, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said, “Public transit opens new opportunities for people, and delivers environmental and economic benefits to communities. We are delighted to provide support for these projects, which will help communities recover from the pandemic and bring public transit to more people in the months and years to come.”
Each of these projects increases connectivity and provides access to residents across Maricopa County. Tempe Streetcar is anticipated to open for operations at the end of 2021 and both light rail extensions open in 2024.
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