Passage of act could bring $40M to UTA

The U.S. House of Representatives' passage of HR1, American Recovery and Reinvestment, could bring $40 million to the Utah Transit Authority, money that would be used to finish light and commuter rail lines currently under construction or to begin construction of intermodal hubs in Provo or Orem.

On Wednesday, just minutes before the House passed the act, UTA Assistant General Manager Mike Allegra explained to the agency's Board of Trustees at its monthly meeting that the legislation allocates nationwide $6 billion in grants for transit capital, $2 billion for modification of railway, $1 billion grants for new projects and $1 billion for Amtrak and intercity rail systems. Other provisions in the $825 billion stimulus package include money for science and energy development, and Allegra believes some UTA projects could qualify.

Individual transit agencies would receive allocations of that money based on a formula that considers "passenger miles," or the number of miles passengers ride a transit system each year.

"We submitted application for $6 billion in projects," Allegra said, for the federal government to consider.

The projects were ones that could be executed quickly. If UTA doesn't use the money it receives from the federal government, it loses it. "Essentially, the goal is to get the money out into the economy as quickly as we can," Allegra said. "There are deadlines out there."

Some of the projects are part of UTA's Frontlines 2015, constructing 70 miles of rail in seven years, such as TRAX to the Salt Lake City International Airport and to West Jordan and commuter rail connecting Salt Lake and Utah counties. Other projects include an overpass for rail over North Temple, intermodal centers in Provo and Orem, and incorporating more technology throughout the entire transit system.

However, with other proposals in Washington, UTA could garner even more money. A measure that originated in the Senate which also aims to stimulate the economy could bring UTA $55 million, or $15 million more than the bill the House passed. And a transit bill that Congress reauthorizes about every six years. Last time it was reauthorized Congress appropriated $60 billion for transit. The American Public Transportation Association, this time around, recommends $120 million, Allegra said.

Allegra and other officials at UTA were happy the bill passed in Washington on Wednesday. "I talked to them three times today, to one of our Congressmen," he said.

But ultimately, Allegra believes that the Senate will pass its own stimulus package and the House and Senate will have to convene in a conference to negotiate a bill favorable to both.

E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com