US cities to get $17.6 million for transit-oriented development

The US Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced US$17.6 million in grants for developing affordable housing near transit corridors.

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) will see 20 communities in 16 states benefit from grants that support equitable transit-oriented development.

The awards include US$2 million for the Regional Transportation District in Denver to develop plans for a 32-kilometre bus rapid transit corridor, with a special focus on affordable housing needs.

Another US$1.25 million will go the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation & Public Works for a station area and mobility plan to encourage transit-oriented growth around the Little Haiti Station.

And Phoenix will receive US$1.2 million for housing developments around three new light-rail stations under construction in the Downtown Phoenix Corridor.

“This grant signifies continued progress for the City of Phoenix and for our residents,” said Debra Stark, Phoenix’s Vice Mayor and Chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee.

“Having access to a reliable and efficient transportation system helps strengthen our economy and revitalise our communities. This is a win-win not just for public transit accessibility but for all our community.”

Matched funding

The grants can be used to develop local plans to encourage transit use by incorporating housing and businesses near transit corridors. Each of the selected projects has an affordable housing component and will require a local matching fund.

“Transportation and housing are the two biggest costs for most Americans,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “We are delivering funding that will help create affordable places to live, while bringing down the costs of transportation for the people who live there. For communities all over the country that struggle to find extra funds for federal grants, this should be a message: if you are building good projects well, you will have the support of this administration.”

Last week, the US Department of Transportation released US$830 million for 80 projects around the country to make surface transportation systems more resilient to extreme weather such as flooding, sea-level rise and heat waves.

According to the agency, the grants are the first of their kind dedicated to transportation infrastructure resilience, with funds expected to bolster bridges, roads, ports, rail, transit and other infrastructure across 37 heavily impacted states.

Recipients include Philadelphia, which was awarded US$14 million to rehabilitate two deteriorating bridges, and the Californian city of Davis, which will get almost US$24 million to install cool pavement technologies to combat the urban heat-island effect.

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