摘要: |
This report provides the U.S. Department of Transportations recommendations to Congress for the allocation of funds for the design and construction of fixed guideway New Starts and Small Starts capital investments for fiscal year (FY) 2007. These programs are part of the Capital Investment Grant Program provisions of 49 USC 5309, most recently reauthorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) in August 2005. As required by SAFETEA-LU, this report also contains a summary of the allocation of funds made available to assist qualified projects under the Alternative Transportation in the Parks and Public Lands Program under 49 USC 5320. The Federal Transit Administrations (FTA) discretionary New Starts program is the Federal governments primary financial resource for supporting locally-planned, implemented, and operated major transit capital investments. From heavy to light rail, from commuter rail to bus rapid transit systems, the New Starts program has helped to make possible hundreds of new or extended transit fixed guideway systems across the country. These rail and bus investments, in turn, have improved the mobility of millions of Americans, have helped to reduce congestion and improve air quality in the areas they serve, and have fostered the development of more viable, safe, and livable communities. The Presidents Budget for FY 2007 proposes $1,466 million for the capital investment grant program under Section 5309. A total of $1,229.48 million is recommended for 16 existing, two pending, and five proposed Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGA). A total of $101.86 million is proposed for four projects that are anticipated to be in final design by the Spring of 2006, pending resolution of outstanding issues, and for additional rail cars to be added to the completed Largo Metrorail Extension (metropolitan Washington D.C.) FFGA. A total of $100 million is recommended for the new Small Starts program. Finally, a total of $34.66 million is recommended for specific ferry projects, statutory funding to support the work of the Denali Commission, and New Starts oversight activities. |