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RAISE Grant New Links Capital Infrastructure Project
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DESCRIPTION: Grant Application for federal funds to replace fare technology medium and to create or enhance newly identified regional and neighborhood transfer hubs with operator comfort stations |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
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Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to seek federal funds in the amount of $24,225,600 to replace the fare technology medium and to create or enhance newly identified regional and neighborhood transfer hubs with operator comfort stations. The local match is $6,056,400 and the total project amount will be $30,282 000.00.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260, December 27,2020) (FY”2021 Appropriations Act”) appropriated $1 billion to be awarded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for National Infrastructure Investment (now known as Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants.) RAISE Grants are for capital investments in surface transportation that will have a significant local or regional impact.
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DISCUSSION:
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is requesting $24,226 million in federal funding to implement the recommendations from New Links, a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) that included a full bus network redesign. The proposal for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant program will provide funding to allow the agency to replace the fare technology medium and to create or enhance newly identified regional and neighborhood transfer hubs with operator comfort stations.
New Links was a project led by the region’s MPO, the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (RPC), to reimagine how public transit connects Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes. The transit network was redesigned to create more reliable, equitable, and connected bus and streetcar service. The Board of Commissioners of the RTA adopted these recommendations in March 2021 and the RTA staff will begin implementation of the operational recommendations in 2022. This project is aligned with two of the goals in the agency’s Strategic Mobility Plan (SMP); Prioritize the Rider Experience and Be Reliable. Upgrading the fare technology medium significantly contributes to achieving both these goals by reducing the boarding delays that are encountered with heavy use of cash transactions - over 70% of the total. The installation of the regional and neighborhood transfer hubs will provide for a more comfortable and pleasant rider experience and create transit priority treatments that improve pedestrian safety and reduces the potential for conflicts with automobiles. These facilities will also provide much needed relief for operators.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The RTA will be responsible for the local match if the grant is awarded. That amount is expected to be $6,056,400.
NEXT STEPS:
This grant application is due July 12, 2021.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Prepared By: Lona Edwards Hankins, lhankins@rtaforward.org
Title: Deputy CEO of Planning and Infrastructure
Reviewed By: Lona Edwards Hankins, lhankins@rtaforward.org
Title: Deputy Chief of Planning and Infrastructure
Reviewed By: Gizelle Johnson Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
6/17/2021
Alex Wiggins Date
Chief Executive Officer