News & Updates: Newsroom

RTA News

 

Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002 

 

FTA delivers good news for Euclid Corridor Transportation Project

 

CLEVELAND -- A key federal agency has cleared the way for the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project to become a reality.

 

On Feb. 8, Joel Ettinger, Region 5 Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), signed an important document known as "Finding of No Significant Impact," or FONSI, for the Euclid project. This action completes the environmental review and clears the way for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to proceed with Final Design.

 

"This is really big news," says RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese. "Many projects have died because they have been unable to obtain a FONSI. This is a major, major milestone."

 

"RTA has worked for years to achieve this," Calabrese says. "Our ability to meet the many complex federal requirements demonstrates our technical capacity, support and dedication to the Euclid project. We sincerely thank our many community partners who helped us with their strong support."

 

The $220-million Euclid Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Project is a joint effort of FTA, the State of Ohio, the cities of Cleveland and East Cleveland, and RTA. The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) and the State's Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) also participated in the process.

 

The federal letter states that, "The FTA finds, on the basis of the environmental record, that there are no significant impacts on the environment associated with the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project."

 

The FTA also notes that the community was provided adequate opportunity to present views on significant economic, social and environmental interests of the project.

 

This action by the FTA completes the environmental review process required by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). More importantly, it allows the Euclid project to move into its next phase of development -- Final Design.

 

Moving forward

 

The Euclid Corridor is operating with a $6 million federal earmark this year. President Bush recently recommended a $4 million earmark in the federal budget that begins Oct. 1, 2002.

 

RTA officials have adopted an ambitious schedule for moving the Euclid Corridor project forward this year.

 

Feb. 19: The RTA Board is expected to select consultants for Final Design, Value Engineering and Public Art. More than 20 percent of these contract amounts are expected to go to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs).

 

March: RTA begins operating interim vehicles for the #6 Euclid Avenue route, and begins action to procure the final 60-foot articulated vehicles

 

May-June: The RTA Board is expected to select consultants for construction management and real estate acquisition services.

 

July: RTA's Board will select a manufacturer for the Euclid vehicle. Staff will submit an application to FTA for a Full-Funding Grant Agreement.

 

September: Project design reaches 60 percent completion, with the City of Cleveland Planning Commission design review and approval in November.

 

December: The FTA is expected to approve the Full Funding Grant Agreement.

 

A ground-breaking ceremony is set for late 2003 for the first of many construction projects that will continue to the end of 2006, when the project would be complete.

 

Cleveland is one of 10 cities selected by the FTA as a pilot for a new transportation concept called Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT. BRT systems combine the most attractive features of bus and rail.

 

RTA background

 

RTA's mission is to enhance the quality of life in the region by providing outstanding, cost-effective public transportation services.

 

RTA carries more than 45 percent of all public transit riders in Ohio. RTA's bus and rail fleet is the 13^th largest in the nation, and RTA carries an average of 207,000 riders each weekday.

 

Revenue from a one percent countywide sales tax makes up more than 70 percent of RTA's $230 million operating fund. Passenger fares generate 20 percent, and the other 10 percent comes from federal and state funds, and transit advertising. Capital funds, such as those used for the Euclid Corridor project, are separate from operating expenses.

 

In 2001, more than 58.2 million passengers rode RTA's trains, buses, Community Circulators and Paratransit vehicles.

 

For personalized scheduling, call the RTAnswerline, 216-621-9500. Service information can be accessed at www.rideRTA.com.