KC Light Rail

Your source for news and information on Kansas City’s light rail progress

The Feds Speak

The Kansas City Business Journal reports that the Federal Transit Administration is in town today and met with representatives from the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to discuss what it takes to request federal support for the light rail plan approved by voters in November. Confirming the obvious that it's "a lot of work" and very competitive, the FTA also revealed the following:

  • The FTA New Starts budget for 2007 is $1.5 billion.
  • FTA approves an average of five projects annually and covers about 50% of the total cost.
  • The four stage process includes alternative analysis, preliminary engineering, final design and financing.
  • Funding for the current bus system would need to be maintained "while securing federal money".

The KCATA is due to report their own findings to the Kansas City Council in January.

2 Comments so far

  1. Tony December 25th, 2006 1:55 am

    Yeah, that’s one way of looking at it . . . Another way of looking at it is by reading the Headline which is actually pretty clear . . .

    FTA: KC faces stiff competition for light-rail dollars

    And even another way of looking at it is to note that the whole thing is a debacle that will thankfully die in one committee after the next.

  2. Jeff December 25th, 2006 10:29 am

    I understand a certain level of cynicism about light rail here. But to me the reality of it seems very simple. Who is against a revitilization of public transportation? Rush hour traffic has truly reached epic proportions, and the measly bus system is not going to solve the problem.

    It’s unfortunate this issue is so politicized and that the Kansas City, MO council is so corrupt. I truly hope that a plan can be reached to bring Kansas City into the 21st century, with modern public transportation. All world class cities, and those that aspire to become one, have extensive means to get from point A to point B without needing a car.

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