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Greetings and Happy New Year!
FTA is working to improve regional communication with the rollout of our refreshed regional newsletters. We aim to enhance our communication process for sharing valuable updates and resources with each of you. Our goal is to distribute timely information in an engaging format, bringing you regional updates and highlighting key projects, important dates, transit initiatives and other information. We hope that this will become a valuable resource for you over time, and I’m looking forward to sharing some of the great work the transit community has implemented throughout our region. Please feel free to share any inspiring stories you have with your FTA point-of-contact, it could be featured in our next newsletter!
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According to a recent FTA report on transit trends, ridership in the United States continues to increase, growing by more than 17% nationwide from 2022 to 2023. The increase reflects more Americans choosing to take buses, subways, light rail, and other modes to travel to work, school, services, and weekend activities across the country and came as transit agencies better understood ridership needs following travel pattern changes during the pandemic. Learn more.
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The competitive grants through FTA’s Tribal Transit Program enable Tribes to buy transit vehicles, upgrade bus facilities, and expand or improve transit service. TInfrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes nearly $46 million in competitive funding over five years for the Tribal Transit Program, an increase of nearly 83%. Learn more. |
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We are proud to support the Tribes and Native Villages in Region 5 receiving grants, which will enable them to buy transit vehicles, upgrade bus facilities, and expand or improve bus service, helping residents get to jobs, school, and other opportunities. Congratulations to the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Bois Forte Tribal Government, and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe: White Earth Band. Learn more.
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Empowering Transit Professionals with FTA's Oversight Workshops
FTA conducts oversight workshops across the country to help recipients better understand federal rules and regulations and comply with FTA program requirements. These workshops are tailored for transit agency staff and transit professionals responsible for developing FTA grant applications, managing federally funded projects and programs, planning and managing transit services, managing procurements, and overseeing financial matters.
We are proud to have hosted one of two workshops in Detroit in December, welcoming over 100 representatives from recipient agencies from across our region. FTA is committed to delivering impactful information. Michigan led participation, with 30% of the 42 recipients from the region preparing for the triennial process for 2025.
FTA will host a second workshop in Chicago on March 12-13, 2025 at the Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown River North (600 N. State Street).
Registration Information:
Advance registration is required to attend the Chicago workshop. Space is limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot.
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This year, the updated CIG Reporting Instructions, templates, and standard cost category worksheets are being released in January, reflecting the updated CIG Policy Guidance. This week, FTA will post updated CIG reporting instructions, templates, and standard cost category worksheets on FTA’s website. These documents are updated annually by FTA and should be used by:
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Project sponsors seeking a rating for advancement into the next phase of the CIG process (Engineering or a construction grant agreement);
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Project sponsors seeking a rating at any time other than a formal approval step in the CIG process; and
- Project sponsors who wish to have their project evaluated and rated for consideration as a funding recommendation in the upcoming FY 2027 Annual Report to Congress. The due date for submittal of complete information to FTA for the FY 2027 Annual Report is Friday August 22, 2025.
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Chicago Transit Authority Red Line Extension Project Award
FTA signed a $1.97 billion grant agreement through the Capital Investment Grants program for CTA’s Red Line Extension project, which extends the Red Line 5.5 miles from the existing terminal at 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th Street in an effort to connect the city’s Far South Side to the L system for the first time.
The project includes four stations, the purchase of 78 rail cars, new traction power substations, parking facilities, multimodal connections at each new station, a new railyard, and a maintenance shop near 120th Street.
The Red Line Extension project has been in the works for over 50 years. This is the largest single transit project in CTA history and it’s the largest- ever capital grant to address inequalities in access and economic investment in predominantly Black and low-income neighborhoods. Learn more.
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Congratulations to Metra for receiving these two grants:
Rogers Park Station Reconstruction ($23,600,000): Metra will reconstruct Rogers Park Station by modifying pathways to the elevated boarding platforms to be ADA compliant; adding heated platform treatments; installing climate controlled shelters, new information systems, improved lighting, security cameras; and completing other general repairs.
Van Buren Street Station Renovation ($24,485,250): Metra will design and reconstruct Metra's Van Buren Street Station to include two new elevators, wayfinding, signage, digital displays, climate-controlled shelters, lighting, security cameras, ADA compliant ramps to the boarding platforms, and other general repairs.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation's Build America Bureau recently announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the program offers $27 million in technical assistance grants for rural and tribal transportation project planning and design. No local funding match is required, and up to $10 million is allocated for Tribal applicants. Applications will be accepted starting Tuesday, March 4 and are due by April 3. |
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We strongly urge all grantees to upload their Authorizing Resolution and Opinion of Counsel before the March 5, 2025, deadline. On December 6, 2024, FTA’s Associate Administrator of Program Management issued a Dear Colleague letter highlighting that the following two documents must be uploaded to an agency’s profile to support verification of their legal capacity to carry out the project(s) included in federal assistance awards:
- Opinion of Counsel
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Authorizing Resolution
Beginning March 5, 2025, TrAMS will prevent any recipients that have not properly identified the Opinion of Counsel and Authorizing Resolution in their Recipient Document profile from transmitting or submitting new applications unless they have correctly labeled and/or uploaded their required legal documents.
Information on this enhancement and a short tutorial video are available on FTA’s TrAMS webpage.
Partial Year Apportionments
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We are excited to introduce the newest leaders in Region 5. To provide more resources to recipients, we added experienced team leaders to our program offices. Their expertise covers planning, grants, environmental compliance, project management, oversight, and technical assistance.
The team leads are William “Bill” Wheeler, Susan Weber, Hassan Dastgir, Deidre Wesley, Evan Gross, and Lisa Joiner. Together, they bring more than 60 years of experience in public transit programs, ensuring recipients receive expert support and guidance.
Their leadership strengthens our ability to meet the region's transit needs.
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Contact Information:
Region 5 Office
Federal Transit Administration
Suite 320
Chicago, IL 60606 United States
Region 5 | FTA
Business Hours:
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. CT, M-F.
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Regional Phone: (312) 353-2789 |
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