Georgia' First Bus Rapid Transit Route Wins Federal Funding

The Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit Project—on track to become the first bus rapid transit line in the state of Georgia—received a critical bath of funding from the federal government this week in the form of a $12.6 million TIGER grant.

March 9, 2018, 5am PST | James Brasuell | @CasualBrasuell

Kristain Baty

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"The federal government will give MARTA $12.6 million for a new bus rapid transit line from downtown to midtown Atlanta," report David Wickert and J. Scott Trubey.

"The 9.4-mile Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit Project would connect the Summerhill neighborhood south of I-20 – anchored by Georgia State University – to MARTA’s Arts Center Station," add Wickert and Trubey. The federal funding, awarded through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program, will contribute to the total $48.6 million price tag for the project. The project is also expected to drive redevelopment in Summerhill and other neighborhoods in South Atlanta.

The funding allocation is also a sure sign that the federal government is, in fact, still funding public transit projects, besides threats and fears that the Trump Administration is pushing to end funding for public transit projects.

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Feds give MARTA $12.6 million for Atlanta bus rapid transit line

Published on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution