Flexible Funding for Transit Access
This post was originally published on www.thegoodmancorp.com/news.
Last year, The Washington Post revealed data highlighting disparities between bus shelters and stops in major transit networks. Author Ian Duncan writes: “As record levels of federal transit funding begin to flow from [2021]’s $1 trillion infrastructure package, plans for thousands of new shelters present a test of whether Washington’s promises to focus on racial equity and the environment can quickly translate into benefits for transit users.”
Where Flex Funding Comes In
As many large transit agencies plan for more shelters, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is seeking to encourage those efforts, helping cities and agencies find ways to tap $350 billion in highway funding, as part of the infrastructure package, towards projects on local streets, including bus shelters.
Numerous TGC clients have benefited from our expertise in this area and funding type.?We have leveraged over $100M in flex funding for a variety of transit access improvements and proven safety measures like sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and high-visibility crosswalk enhancements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is flex funding? Is it a unique source of money for projects?
Source: USDOT
Flex funding is an option that can be exercised with many federal formula funding programs and is not a unique funding stream. Federal law (23 U.S.C. § 104(f); 49 U.S.C. § 5334(i)(1)) allows Federal-Aid Highway Program funding, administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and apportioned to State Departments of Transportation, to be flexed (or transferred) to be administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for public transportation projects, including projects that enhance transit or access to transit. These associated transit improvements must be physically or functionally related to transit facilities. Eligible projects are:
Why flex funds?
Source: USDOT
Generally, flex funds can streamline project delivery and reduce project costs, particularly for small-scale, low-cost transit access improvements. Exercising the ability to flex funds can provide many advantages:
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How do I start the process to flex funding?
Source: USDOT
Flex Funding Project Example
TGC Project example, as featured by the U.S. Department of Transportation and referenced in an article by The Washington Post
Bissonnet Pedestrian-Transit Improvements
Location: Houston, TX
Client: Upper Kirby District, Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority
Consultant: The Goodman Corporation
Timeframe: 2018 – 2019?
The Upper Kirby Management District (District) and Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority applied for and received funding for streetscape improvements along a half-mile corridor served by and intersecting multiple fixed-route Houston METRO bus lines. The project included constructing and improving sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramps, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, functional landscaping, and transit-related street furniture.
Transferring funds to FTA allowed the District to implement the project consistent with local design and project delivery processes, while still following all federal requirements related to civil rights, procurement, etc. Managing the project locally led to overall cost and schedule savings compared to going through the full State DOT process, which would have required design standards and processes including detailed environmental analysis that were developed for highway projects.
Following funding, TGC led project implementation through coordination between the District, the City of Houston, Texas Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, and Houston-Galveston Area Council. TGC also managed the administration of construction contracts to include pay application review and approval, review of change orders and submittals, review of quantities, and Davis-Bacon wage rate interviews as compared to certified payroll and prompt payment.
The Goodman Corporation (TGC) is a full-service firm that provides planning, engineering, funding, implementation, program management, and technical services support for both public and private sector clients. What separates us from other firms? Our approach revolves around identifying ways to help our clients and partners save local dollars through the leverage of discretionary grant opportunities and funding partnerships (public and private). Since 1980, we have secured over $1.5B in funding for our client base, connecting capital to communities and identifying smart solutions to community challenges.
For additional information or questions, contact TGC to learn more about our services, our team, and our mission to connect capital to communities across Texas and beyond.