New York applies for flexible federal funds - New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority asks for $584.4 Million which can be used for any highway or transit project - Brief Article

Railway Age, Sept, 1992

An application for $584.4 million in federal funding, filed on July 1 by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, includes $200 million in highway funding available under the flexibility provision of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). It's the first time the New York agency has applied for the flexible funds, which can be applied to highway or transit projects.

"It makes sense to have money available from highway funds to pay for transit improvements," said MTA Chairman Peter E. Stangl. "Public transit is the clean air alternative to highway congestion."

The federal funding requested includes $200 million in FY 1993 formula capital funds; $100 million FY 1992 and pre1992 Route 9A Westway funds from the Interstate Transfer highway category of ISTEA; $45.9 million in FY 1993 Westway trade-in funds from the Interstate Transfer Transit category; $73.3 million in Congestion Management/Air Quality funding; and $26.7 million from the Surface Transportation Program, both of which are available under the highway category of ISTEA.

Stangl said the request constitutes the "spin up" of 1993 funds that the state has identified to pay for a $1.6 billion 1992 capital program, the first year of the MTA's new five-year plan. In order to utilize 1993 funds this year, the Federal Transit Administration would have to grant the funds soon after the October 1992 start of FY 1993. MTA said it would work closely with FTA to expedite the process.

The MTA request for federal money also includes $11 million for land purchase for the 63rd Street subway connector project in Queens, $92 million in operating assistance, and $35.5 million in surplus grant funds, mostly for work to be done by New York City Transit Authority and commuter railroad track forces.