Research Triangle Park, N.C. - The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced approval of the Triangle Transit Authority's (TTA's) request to begin the final design of the Phase I Regional Rail System. Earlier this year FTA issued a Record of Decision on the project, which certified that the environmental analysis and proposed mitigation plans are complete. The Record of Decision allowed TTA to begin property acquisition, but TTA still needed separate approval from FTA to begin final design of the 35-mile project, which will connect downtown Durham, Research Triangle Park, Cary and downtown Raleigh's government center.

FTA based its decision to move the project from 30 percent preliminary engineering design to final design on the following items: 1) the project's financial plan, which indicates that TTA will receive 50 percent funding from the federal government and 50 percent from state and local funds; and 2) a "recommended" rating in the federal FY-04 New Starts report, which compares and rates projects on mobility improvements, environmental benefits, cost effectiveness and operating efficiencies.

TTA Board Chair Anne Franklin says, "With this approval, FTA is saying 'This is a good project. Go ahead and get it ready for construction.' We've put together an experienced, highly charged final design team that can move quickly now to fill in all the details so we can break ground and get this rail transit system built."

Earlier this year TTA announced the selection of Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) as the General Engineering Consultant to manage the final design and construction. The PB Team includes six local section designers as well as seven specialty designers. PB will have their management team located at TTA Headquarters and the section design work will all be performed locally in the Triangle. Approximately 14 percent of the work will be performed by local minority-owned/disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE). This work includes final design of the track, bridges, grade crossings, grade separations, retaining walls and system-wide elements such as the vehicles, train control, communications and fare collection.

"There has been a lot of research, public input and energy put into creating this infrastructure for the future," says General Manager John Claflin. "The opportunity for more public involvement is forthcoming, with the final design of the 16 rail stations."

A consultant for rail station design was announced earlier this year, as well. The Triangle Design Collaborative team, led by Niles Bolton Associates, includes 16 firms, 12 of which are headquartered in the Triangle with two others having local offices in the region. The team includes six local minority-owned/disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) that are anticipated to receive approximately 27.5 percent of the professional service fees.

Later this year, once final design has advanced to approximately 60 percent, TTA will request and negotiate a federal full funding grant agreement (FFGA) with FTA. The federal FFGA, which is reviewed by Congress, is a commitment for the federal government to provide 50 percent of the project's funds. The FFGA is subject to annual appropriations from Congress.

NCDOT has announced that it will execute a similar FFGA for the state's 25 percent share of funding for both the Charlotte and TTA rail systems in the near future.

With approval to enter final design, TTA plans to complete final design and begin construction later this year, with the initial segment - downtown Durham to Government Center in downtown Raleigh - opening for operation in December 2007. Extensions to Duke Medical Center and to North Raleigh are scheduled to open in 2011.

TTA received word last week that Congress appropriated $9 million earmark in FY 03 for the Phase I Regional Rail Transit System. TTA also received a $350,000 appropriation that will be applied toward bus operations.

TTA is a regional public transportation provider, offering a wide variety of transit services to North Carolina's greater Triangle Region and outlying counties. In addition to its regional bus services, paratransit and commuter resources, TTA plans for regional rail transit Phase I to begin December 2007. For more information, visit www.rideTTA.org or call (919)549-9999.