Texas Completes Obligation of ARRA Transportation Funds

After marking the one-year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year, the Texas Dept. of Transportation and Texas Metropolitan Planning Organizations have obligated all $2.25 billion Texas received for transportation projects. All ARRA had to be obligated by March 1.

For transit, Texas received $371 million, splitting the funding with $301 million for urban areas and $42 million for rural transit providers. Another $28 million went to cities through a high-growth and high-density formula, providing nearly $50 million for rural transit in total.

States applied for a part of the $1.1-billion ARRA aviation funds made available on a project specific basis to the FAA. To date, Texas has received $17 milllion for six aviation projects.

TxDOT submitted nine applications to High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Grant program. Two projects were awarded for $11 million.

Texas received $7.2 million for the construction of a new 28-car ferry vessel for TxDOT’s Port Aransas Ferry System.

Through ARRA’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant program, Dallas-Fort Worth projects benefitted. The North Texas Tollway Authority will receive $20 million to support a loan of approximately $400 million for the SH 161 project in Dallas.. The North Central Texas Council of Governments will receive $23 million to develop a streetcar service in downtown Dallas.