Feds grant $10M to develop bus rapid transit

PRESS RELEASE

State and federal officials announced this week that the New York State Department of Transportation has been awarded a $10 million federal grant to help develop bus rapid transit service between Rockland and Westchester Counties.

“Today is another major step forward in our efforts to improve transportation in the lower Hudson Valley,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo. “This funding will help us give commuters more mass transit options and ultimately reduce traffic congestion in the region. I thank our federal partners for working with us on this crucial project, especially Congresswoman Lowey for her steadfast support, and look forward to seeing mass transit along the New NY Bridge for years to come.”

“This $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation is critical to increase public transportation options on the New New York Bridge,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey. “By helping to implement bus rapid transit on the bridge, this federal investment will improve access to reliable, safe, and affordable east-west transportation for Westchester and Rockland residents. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue working with federal, state, and local officials to ensure our region’s transportation needs are met.”

Hudson Links is a set of interrelated improvements that will support the development and operation of an East-West BRT service along I-287 and adjacent roads between Westchester and Rockland counties. The project will construct new Bus Stations; create an ITS “Smart Corridor” on Route 59 (Connects/parallels I-287); develop a Transit Boulevard in White Plains that will be served by the BRT; install Ramp Metering along I-287 to manage congestion and increase transit speed, reliability, and efficiency.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, “This $10 million grant is great news for Rockland County. It’s a smart investment that will help create jobs, improve the efficiency of traffic flow and reduce commute times. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the bridge team and the New York State Department of Transportation to bring this critical bus rapid transit project to reality. I hope this commitment is a first step in obtaining additional federal funding through future grant opportunities over the next several years.”