The Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program is providing $10.2 billion in funds in 2020 directly to state and local governments for use on transit projects within their jurisdictions. The program provides discretionary funding for fixed guideway investments such as new and expanded heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars, bus rapid transit, and ferries as well as corridor-based bus rapid transit projects that function similarly to rail.

In allocations for the fiscal year 2020-2021, the list for which Congress released this month, the FTA has granted several high-profile transit system extensions significant dollar amounts to increase their coverage, as well as projects dedicated to performing state of good repair maintenance. Among the agencies to whom these grants were awarded, Los Angeles Metro, Sound Transit in Seattle, and the Purple Line outside Washington, D.C. earned some of the largest portions of the money made available. In a breakdown of mode for all recipients in 2020, light rail extensions represent the highest number of projects, while heavy rail accounts for a significant portion of the money allocated.

The Chicago Transit Agency, overseen by TRA client Illinois Department of Transportation, is also undertaking a massive modernization project on their Red and Purple Lines, for which it will receive more than $590 million. Projects of this nature often go overlooked in lists such as the CIG, as they feature refurbishment or rebuilding of existing rail assets, but for many of TRA’s client agencies, investment in the longevity of an existing system can mean decades more of productive use.

To learn more, check out the FTA’s CIG list: https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/funding/grant-programs/capital-investments/147311/fy21-annual-report.pdf