PRESIDENT’S BUDGET INCLUDES MAJOR FUNDING FOR HOUSTON LIGHT RAIL

May 8, 2009

In a significant step toward building an integrated transit system for Houston, President Obama’s administration has included $150 million for construction of the North and Southeast light-rail lines in its FY 2010 budget.
 
By including funding for these projects in its budget, the administration is signaling its intent to enter into Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGA) for the two corridors. A FFGA commits the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to fund transit projects over several years.
 
METRO President & CEO Frank J. Wilson said METRO’s inclusion in the budget is unprecedented and exciting because it follows on the heals of the agency’s receipt of four Letters of No Prejudice, which authorize the agency to begin spending its own funds, totaling $135.7 million, on the two corridors for advanced design work, early materials procurement, utility relocation and rail car purchases.
 
“This signifies the administration’s confidence in our projects and its willingness to work toward Full Funding Grant Agreements, which we expect to receive this fall,” said Wilson.
 
METRO Board Chairman David S. Wolff commended U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the FTA’s staff and Houston’s Congressional delegation for their support of the METRO Solutions Phase 2 project. LaHood, who recently visited Houston, noted the importance of the Main Street Light-Rail Line to downtown and the Texas Medical Center in an April address to a Senate subcommittee.
 
“Clearly, the federal government is now aware that Houston is ready to join the list of other major cities in the United States - including Dallas - that operate an integrated transit system,” Wolff said. “Washington knows we’re serious about meeting the mobility needs of this booming region and with this important step, it is demonstrating its willingness to help us reach our goals.”