Showing posts with label Greater Richmond Transit Company. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greater Richmond Transit Company. Show all posts

Friday, September 12, 2014

Commonwealth of Virginia to Receive $39.9 Million Federal Grant for Richmond Bus Rapid Transit System

Port of Virginia's Norfolk International Termi...
Port of Virginia's Norfolk International Terminal (NIT) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced that two projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia will receive a total $39.9 million in funds from the highly competitive TIGER Grant program. More than $9.4 billion in applications were received and evaluated by the United State Department of Transportation, which will award $600 million in funding this year.
“These grants will help build a new Virginia economy by expanding access to the Port of Virginia, and allowing Richmond to build the Broad Street Bus Rapid Transit system, a project that will create new jobs and economic growth across the metro area,” said Governor McAuliffe. “With these grants Virginia has secured one of the largest allocations of TIGER funds in the last four years. I am proud to have worked hard alongside Secretary Foxx, Senator Warner, Senator Kaine, Mayor Jones and all involved to bring these important grants back to Virginia.”
The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Greater Richmond Transit Company, the City of Richmond and Henrico County have been awarded a $24.9 million TIGER grant to construct the Broad Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The 7.5 mile, $53.8 million Broad Street BRT system would improve reliability and travel times for transit riders, improve access to employment and health care, and support economic development throughout the Broad Street Corridor. 
“The Richmond BRT project is an excellent example of how improving and expanding our transportation system connects people with businesses and jobs across the region,” said Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne. “The Commonwealth is proud to work in collaboration with the City of Richmond and Henrico County to not only provide a new transportation option, but also to stimulate economic growth along the Broad Street Corridor with the creation of new jobs to support the project.”

The Virginia Port Authority was awarded a $15 million TIGER grant to create a new intermodal gate complex at Norfolk International Terminals. This new $29 million gate will tie-in to the planned I-564 Intermodal Connector and ease the commute for thousands of active duty Navy and civil service personnel, reduce the volume of truck traffic on local roads in the City of Norfolk and increase cargo velocity and efficiency at NIT.

“As proud Virginians, we recognize the critical role that our port plays in the economic vitality of the Commonwealth.  We are thankful that USDOT granted us similar recognition at the federal level,” said John F. Reinhart, executive director and CEO of the Virginia Port Authority.
Additional information regarding the BRT project can be found at www.study.ridegrtc.com



Friday, April 25, 2014

City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia Request Federal Grant

turn_ins_02
turn_ins_02 (Photo credit: james4765)
RICHMOND – Today Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC), the City of Richmond and Henrico County are collaborating on a TIGER grant application for funding to construct the Broad Street Bus-Rapid Transit system. The 7.5 mile Broad Street BRT system would improve reliability and travel times for transit riders, and support economic development throughout the Broad Street Corridor. 
 “Improving and expanding Virginia’s transportation system in order to grow our economy is one of my highest priorities,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Richmond BRT is exactly the type of project that we should be advancing to improve the lives of the Virginians we serve. It will be affordable, provide Richmond residents with more transportation choices and help link people with businesses and jobs across the region.” 

The Richmond BRT route would travel along Broad Street from Willow Lawn through the heart of the capital region, connecting VCU campuses, providing access to employment and businesses, making healthcare facilities accessible, and offering convenient transportation to tourist attractions within the region.  The project would provide a one-time local benefit of $41.5 million, while also creating 406 jobs for the area.  The annual economic benefit is anticipated to be $7 million. 

“Transportation is an essential part of daily life,” said Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones.  “Linking the regional economy together through a better transportation network is something we’ve been working toward for the employment and economic development needs of our city, and the Richmond BRT project is a critical and important step in that regard.”

The Richmond BRT project has been in development since 2009 and is expected to be ready for design in the near future.  The design phase of the project will cost $4 million, and is planned to be funded with a mix of state-controlled federal funding, state funding, and local funds coming from the City of Richmond.  The total cost of final design and construction will be $49.8 million.  GRTC, as the project sponsor, is working with DRPT, the City of Richmond and Henrico County to submit an application for funding through the TIGER Discretionary Grant program. 

The TIGER grant program is a highly competitive federal grant program investing in road, rail, transit and port projects across the nation that deliver five long-term outcomes: safety, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, livability and environmental sustainability.  There is $600 million in available funding for this year’s program, and the Richmond BRT project is seeking $24.9 million of this funding, which is 50% of the cost of the project.  The remaining construction costs would be split among DRPT, the City of Richmond and Henrico County. 

The Commonwealth should know by the fall whether the Richmond BRT project will be awarded any TIGER Grant funding, and all parties involved remain positive that the project will continue to be competitive and will obtain funding to see it through to fruition.  A round of public meetings is scheduled for May 20th and 21st in Richmond to provide the public an opportunity to comment.  Additional information regarding the BRT project can be found at www.study.ridegrtc.com
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