The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) recently approved more than $9.4 million in funding for 60 new transit vehicles and three rail infrastructure and related development projects.
Granted through the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Formula Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, the new transit vehicles will replace a number of vehicles that are now past their useful lifespans at a cost of $6.8 million.
According to Iowa DOT, vehicle replacement projects were approved for 19 urban and rural public transit systems.
The $2.6 million in rail infrastructure funding was received under the Railroad Revolving Loan and Grant Program. Specifically, the projects are expected to support the creation and retention of 105 jobs within the next three to five years, which Iowa DOT said would leverage millions in new capital investment across the state.