US Presidency recommends 14 US transportation projects worth billions

A public bus in downtown Seattle, US. (Image: Adobe Stock)

The announcement was made on March 11 by US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

Funding would come from the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) and Expedited Project Delivery Pilot programs, which are the federal government’s “primary grant programs supporting new large transit capital projects that are locally planned, implemented, and operated.”

Project-types include new and expanded subway systems, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit.

Most of the schemes still have several levels of approval to meet, but here’s a list, provided by the Biden-Harris administration, of the 14 projects the US president and vice president’s administration have prioritised in the nation’s 2025 budget:

3 projects recommended in prior budgets without construction grant agreements

In Illinois, $350 million is recommended for the Chicago Red Line Extension Project to extend the Red Line Dan Ryan branch on Chicago’s Far South Side from the present 95th Street Terminal to the 130th Street area.

The project aims to reduce commute times, improve mobility and accessibility, and foster economic development in a corridor with high levels of poverty, unemployment, and long travel times. The 5.6-mile (9-km) extension includes the purchase of rail cars, stations, parking facilities, and a new railyard and maintenance shop.

In New Jersey/New York, $700 million is recommended for the proposed Hudson Tunnel Project to improve reliability for New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains. The project includes construction of a new two-track heavy rail tunnel along the Northeast Corridor from the Bergen Palisades in New Jersey to Manhattan.

The project includes the construction of a new tunnel under the Hudson River, the rehabilitation and modernization of the existing North River tunnel, and utility relocation work for the Long Island Railroad Emergency Services Building.

In Texas, $109.7 million is recommended for the proposed VIA Advanced Rapid Transit North/South Corridor Project, a bus rapid transit project from the San Antonio International Airport in the north, through downtown San Antonio, to Steves Avenue in the south. It will connect key destinations along the corridor including North Star Mall, Baptist Medical Center, Missions National Historic Park, and numerous high-density commercial and residential areas. The project includes eight miles of dedicated transit lanes, stations, and the purchase of vehicles.

7 projects recommended to receive first-time funding

In California, $200 million is recommended for the Inglewood Transit Connector Joint Powers Authority’s Inglewood Transit Connector Project, which will provide automated, elevated rail service to multiple large-event venues located along the project corridor and is intended to connect the underserved Inglewood community and the countywide passenger rail system. The project includes the construction of new rail tracks and stations and the purchase of vehicles.

In California, $500 million is recommended for the Transbay Joint Powers Authority’s Transbay Downtown Extension Project, which will extend Caltrain commuter rail service from the China Basin/South Park neighbourhood near the current Caltrain terminus to the Salesforce Transit Center in central San Francisco. The project is intended to improve public access to bus and rail service and accommodate projected growth in travel demand along the San Francisco Peninsula and South Bay corridor. The project includes 1.3 miles of underground tunnel, new rail tracks, stations, ventilation and egress systems, and the purchase of vehicles.

In Florida, $263.7 million is recommended for the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works’ Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project, which will provide commuter rail service between Downtown Miami and the city of Aventura. The project is intended to improve multi-modal regional connections and increase transit options in an urban, commercial corridor. The 13.5-mile project includes stations, park- and-ride facilities, the purchase of vehicles and improvements to a rail yard and rail vehicle maintenance storage facility.

In Indiana, $141.9 million is recommended for the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation’s (IndyGo) Blue Line Rapid Transit Project, which will implement bus rapid transit between the Indianapolis International Airport, downtown Indianapolis, and Cumberland along IndyGo’s busiest bus route, which serves a high concentration of low-income and zero-car households. The project includes 13.4 miles of dedicated transit lanes, stations and the purchase of diesel hybrid powered buses.

In North Carolina, $138.3 million is recommended for the Chapel Hill Transit’s North-South Bus Rapid Transit Project, which will connect riders to several major activity and job centres, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, hospitals, and downtown Chapel Hill, and is intended to improve mobility and accessibility in the corridor’s low-income communities. The project includes 5.7 miles of exclusive bus lanes, stations, and the purchase of vehicles.

In Texas, $134.7 million is recommended for the VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Advanced Rapid Transit East/West Corridor Project, which will provide bus rapid transit connecting key destinations, including the Alamo, the San Antonio Riverwalk, the University of Texas San Antonio Downtown Campus and downtown San Antonio. The project will serve a corridor with a high proportion of low-income and zero-car households, older adults, people with disabilities and minority groups. It includes 5.1 miles of dedicated transit lanes, stations, and the purchase of low- or no-emission vehicles.

In Wisconsin, $118.1 million is recommended for the city of Madison’s North-South Bus Rapid Transit Project, which will connect neighbourhoods north of Madison, through downtown, and into the city of Fitchburg. The BRT project will provide access for underserved communities and low-income populations and link them to employment opportunities and healthcare facilities. The project includes 5.2 miles of exclusive bus lanes, stations and the purchase of battery electric buses.

4 projects recommended with existing construction grant agreements

In California, $315.7 million is recommended for the Westside Purple Line Extension Section 3 Rail Project. The Westside Subway provides a connection for the region’s second-largest job centre and connects downtown Los Angeles with the Westside.

In Minnesota, $129.5 million is recommended for the Minneapolis Southwest Light Rail Transit Project. The Southwest Light Rail adds 14.5 miles to the existing METRO Green Line and connects downtown Minneapolis, downtown Saint Paul, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie.

In New York, $496.8 million is recommended for the New York City Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project. The subway extension will provide transit access in Manhattan to East Side residents, workers, and visitors.

In Washington, $88.4 million is recommended for the Seattle Lynnwood Link Light Rail Extension Project. This project will extend the light rail system from Northgate station in King County to the Lynnwood City Center Station in Snohomish County and is intended to relieve congestion, improve transit performance, and enhance mobility choices.