Post by Tim Collins on Feb 27, 2009 11:02:51 GMT -7
$15M coming to El Paso for transit projects
By Stephanie Sanchez / El Paso Times
Posted: 02/27/2009 12:00:00 AM MST
EL PASO -- Bus riders in El Paso will have more options and convenience because of several major projects to be paid for with economic stimulus money.
El Paso will receive $15 million in transit capital cash within the next 90 to 120 days, according to the Federal Transit Administration, which supports public mass-transit systems in the U.S. The money is part of the $787 billion American Reinvestment and Recovery Act signed by President Barack Obama in early February.
The city will use the money for two major construction projects: a Glory Road terminal and a West Side terminal on Remcon Circle. Money also will be used for bus shelters throughout the city, said Terry Quezada, capital improvement program administrator for the city.
Each project details special plans.
The Glory Road terminal will have a parking garage so people can park their vehicles and ride the bus. The terminal will have sidewalks and enhancing lighting. People at the terminal will be able to see where a bus is by looking at real- time screens showing departure and arrival times, like those at airports. The project will cost $8.4 million.
The West Side terminal will have a parking lot, several small bus shelters and enhanced lighting. The project will cost $4.1 million.
The city will install and improve 150 bus shelters throughout El Paso. Sidewalks will be built and benches will be placed at bus stops and lighting will be improved. The project will cost $2.5 million.
Through the stimulus plan, the projects must be completed within three years after the money is received, Quezada said. The city also must have contracts within 120 days showing how the money will be spent, she said.
"These projects had already gone through the local planning process and are approved. We've also gone through all the required clearances for the utilization of federal funds," she said.
In August 2008, the three projects were presented as part of Sun Metro improvement plans and were to be completed by 2011. Money set aside for the projects will now go toward projects with lower priority, Quezada said.
She said they city did not expect $15 million from the stimulus plan. "Preliminary figures had said more in the neighborhood of $11 million, so $15 million is a very welcome infusion of plans for El Paso."
Austin is expected to receive more than $26 million for transit projects. Corpus Christi will get more than $6 million, and Lubbock, more than $3 million.
State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said, "It's $15 million that the city was not expecting. It's a big windfall. And then you add to that the possibility of us getting $21 (million) to $75 million more in construction stimulus dollars. There's even more to add on top of that."
U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, said the stimulus money would help El Paso during the recession.
"With our economy in recession, many people are turning to public transportation to save money, but local governments across the country are cutting these types of essential services due to budget shortfalls," he said.
"These critical investments from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help the city of El Paso pay for much-needed projects to ensure that our local transportation system remains reliable and accessible for the thousands of residents who depend on Sun Metro every day," Reyes said.
Stephanie Sanchez may be reached at ssanchez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.
By Stephanie Sanchez / El Paso Times
Posted: 02/27/2009 12:00:00 AM MST
EL PASO -- Bus riders in El Paso will have more options and convenience because of several major projects to be paid for with economic stimulus money.
El Paso will receive $15 million in transit capital cash within the next 90 to 120 days, according to the Federal Transit Administration, which supports public mass-transit systems in the U.S. The money is part of the $787 billion American Reinvestment and Recovery Act signed by President Barack Obama in early February.
The city will use the money for two major construction projects: a Glory Road terminal and a West Side terminal on Remcon Circle. Money also will be used for bus shelters throughout the city, said Terry Quezada, capital improvement program administrator for the city.
Each project details special plans.
The Glory Road terminal will have a parking garage so people can park their vehicles and ride the bus. The terminal will have sidewalks and enhancing lighting. People at the terminal will be able to see where a bus is by looking at real- time screens showing departure and arrival times, like those at airports. The project will cost $8.4 million.
The West Side terminal will have a parking lot, several small bus shelters and enhanced lighting. The project will cost $4.1 million.
The city will install and improve 150 bus shelters throughout El Paso. Sidewalks will be built and benches will be placed at bus stops and lighting will be improved. The project will cost $2.5 million.
Through the stimulus plan, the projects must be completed within three years after the money is received, Quezada said. The city also must have contracts within 120 days showing how the money will be spent, she said.
"These projects had already gone through the local planning process and are approved. We've also gone through all the required clearances for the utilization of federal funds," she said.
In August 2008, the three projects were presented as part of Sun Metro improvement plans and were to be completed by 2011. Money set aside for the projects will now go toward projects with lower priority, Quezada said.
She said they city did not expect $15 million from the stimulus plan. "Preliminary figures had said more in the neighborhood of $11 million, so $15 million is a very welcome infusion of plans for El Paso."
Austin is expected to receive more than $26 million for transit projects. Corpus Christi will get more than $6 million, and Lubbock, more than $3 million.
State Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said, "It's $15 million that the city was not expecting. It's a big windfall. And then you add to that the possibility of us getting $21 (million) to $75 million more in construction stimulus dollars. There's even more to add on top of that."
U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, said the stimulus money would help El Paso during the recession.
"With our economy in recession, many people are turning to public transportation to save money, but local governments across the country are cutting these types of essential services due to budget shortfalls," he said.
"These critical investments from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help the city of El Paso pay for much-needed projects to ensure that our local transportation system remains reliable and accessible for the thousands of residents who depend on Sun Metro every day," Reyes said.
Stephanie Sanchez may be reached at ssanchez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.