Title
Request Authorization to Submit Federal Transit Administration Grant Application and Enter into Grant Agreements - South Central Extension/Downtown Hub Light Rail Project
Description
This report requests the Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee recommend City Council approval to: submit an application for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant assistance; enter into an agreement with FTA for the purpose of accepting the awarded grant; and enter into an agreement with Valley Metro Rail, Inc. (VMR) to receive the grant funds as pass-through from the City of Phoenix.
THIS ITEM IS FOR CONSENT ACTION.
Report
Summary
The South Central Extension/Downtown Hub is a 5.5-mile light rail project extending south from Jefferson Street to Baseline Road along Central Avenue. The project also includes the creation of a transfer hub in downtown Phoenix. The project includes nine new stations and two park-n-rides (one located at the existing Ed Pastor Transit Center on Central Avenue and Broadway Road, and one at the end-of-line on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Baseline Road).
Phoenix is the designated recipient of FTA grant funds for the Phoenix-Mesa Urbanized Area (UZA), and as the designated recipient, submits FTA grant applications on behalf of all local governments and agencies in the region.
The South Central Extension/Downtown Hub (SCE/DH) light rail project application will be submitted as a New Starts project in the FTA’s Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. The project is in the Maricopa Association of Governments' (MAG) approved Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Arizona Department of Transportation's (ADOT) approved State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
The total grant funds in the application will not exceed $530 million.
Financial Impact
There is no financial impact to the City of Phoenix. However, grant funds passed through to VMR will be used to reimburse the City of Phoenix for advance funds provided to cover the federal share of project costs.
Location
Council Districts: 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.