The St. Petersburg Bus Rapid Transit is waiting for funding promised by Congress but yet to be paid out by the Federal Transit Administration.
A downtown St. Petersburg Bus Rapid Transit project may be in trouble if it doesn't get the money the federal government promised it soon. The plan was praised for being practical and cost effective, part of why it succeeded where other projects in the area failed. "The project aimed at connecting downtown to the beaches has avoided anti-transit sentiment while securing money and support from local and state sources," Caitlin Johnston reports for Tampa Bay Times. Now, because the Trump administration has been slow to distribute the money Congress appropriated, the project is on less sure footing.
Even with local and state funds, the service will not be able to begin operation without federal dollars.
Despite earning a medium-high grade from the Federal Transit Authority (a mark well above the scores of past Tampa transit projects), the work remains unfunded. "That concerns supporters of the Central Avenue bus project, which would add dedicated lanes for buses to about seven miles of First Avenue N and S to link the Pinellas beaches to downtown St. Petersburg," writes Johnston.
FULL STORY: Could Trump starve a Tampa Bay transit project of federal funds?
Double First: The First Station on Tampa Bay's First BRT Line Complete
The first of 15 bus rapid transit stations in St. Petersburg was unveiled last week.
Florida Law Could Eliminate Dedicated Bus Lanes
A new law calls for a minimum ridership of 6,000 passengers in the first year for new bus rapid transit lines. To date, no bus lines in the Tampa Bay region come close.
Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie