A major change in policy at the Federal Transit Administration could mean money from Uncle Sam for two local light rail projects that would not have qualified for assistance under the old funding guidelines.
The projects, both sponsored by the Delaware River Port Authority, are a light-rail line along the Delaware riverfront in Philadelphia, with a spur along Market Street to City Hall, and a light rail quasi-rapid-transit line between Camden and Gloucester County, ultimately reaching Glassboro.
Under funding guidelines enacted during the Bush administration, neither of these projects would have met FTA metrics for cost-effectiveness as measured by reductions in commuting time or new riders attracted. But at yesterday's Transportation Research Board meeting in Washington, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the Obama administration will revise the guidelines to weigh other factors more heavily.
“Our new policy for selecting major transit projects will work to promote livability rather than hinder it,” said LaHood. “We want to base our decisions on how much transit helps the environment, how much it improves development opportunities and how it makes our communities better places to live.”
The shift in emphasis is consistent with previously announced Obama administration initiatives to promote environmentally friendly technologies and strengthen urban communities.
Should the change in policy translate into Federal funding for the two projects, it will reduce the burden placed on commuters who use the DRPA's four Delaware River bridges to travel between South Jersey and Philadelphia. A $1 hike in the toll charged to cross the Commodore Barry, Walt Whitman, Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross bridges had been slated to take effect this year but was postponed to 2011; that increase, however, will go towards paying off existing debt and already scheduled maintenance and repair projects.
The new policy will not take effect until the FTA draws up rules and holds a 60-day public comment period. It will take at least six months for this process to complete.
Comments
Why isn't this going all the way down the line to Millville and Vineland? They're neglecting two major population centers of Southern New Jersey.
I suspect it's because the Delaware River Port Authority is taking the lead on shepherding this project through.
However: I think that a Regional Rail-style service would be more appropriate for Philadelphia-Millville-Vineland-Bridgeton.
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