FY 2013 Operating and Capital Budget - Metro Transit

Metro System
Federal Programming Needs
FY 2013 – FY 2015
To meet the goals identified in the capital budget, appropriate federal funding must be
secured to support capital programs for the planned three-year fiscal period. This section
describes the planned projects and identifies the anticipated sources of funding and the
fiscal year in which grant funds must be obligated. Any delay or reduction in federal, state
or local funding will necessitate modifications to the capital improvements contained in
this capital program.
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for
Users (SAFETEA-LU), was enacted August 10, 2005 as public Law 109-59. SAFETEA-
LU authorized federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and
transit for FY 2005 through FY 2009. The law expired September 30, 2009 but remains in
effect under a series of continuing resolutions, currently authorized through March 31,
2012.
SAFETEA-LU addresses many challenges facing the transportation system today
including improving safety, reducing traffic congestion, increasing intermodal
connectivity, and protecting the environment. SAFETEA-LU also promotes more efficient
and effective Federal surface transportation programs by focusing on transportation issues
of national significance, while giving state and local transportation decision makers more
flexibility for solving transportation problems in their communities. The reauthorization of
SAFETEA-LU will impact the planned program and will be key in addressing the public
transportation challenges.
Several projects were authorized under SAFETEA-LU and will be requested in the
upcoming reauthorization. These projects are not included in the FY 2013 – FY 2015
sources and uses tables that follow. The region must determine that the project is viable
and make the local commitment necessary to proceed to the federal level. Federal dollars
will only be available if the project survives a rigorous national competition for federal
discretionary dollars. At the point that federal dollars are awarded to the project, it will
become part of the capital budget.
Projects currently being requested for inclusion under SAFETEA-LU reauthorization
include Metro North-South Corridor, Daniel Boone Corridor and South-Side Rapid
Transit. Funding for these requested projects is not included in the capital budget at this
time. East-West Gateway Council of Governments will make final decisions on funding
for the corridor and extension projects.
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