9/11/2015
Contact: Steven Taubenkibel
202-366-0431

Eugene, Ore. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the award of $77 million in federal grant funds to expand the Lane Transit District’s (LTD) West Eugene Emerald Express (EmX) bus rapid transit line. Acting FTA Administrator Therese McMillan participated in a ceremony to award the funds with Eugene City Mayor Kitty Piercy, Oregon Department of Transportation Director Matthew Garrett, Lane Transit District Board President Gary Wildish and other state and local officials.

“Delivering vital transportation options to residents of Eugene, Oregon is crucial to improving the quality of life in the state’s second-largest city,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Throughout the United States, we are investing in projects like this one that help improve mobility on our roadways while improving access to jobs, education, medical care, and other important ladders of opportunity.”

The nine mile extension will improve access to employment, education and medical facilities in downtown Eugene, Springfield and the Gateway area in North Springfield, including major destinations such as the University of Oregon and the Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend. When completed, the EmX project will expand the existing network by 60 percent, from 15 to 24 round-trip miles providing fast and frequent service to connect 52,000 residents who live along the corridor with 81,500 jobs that are located within ½ mile of the route.

“The Federal Transit Administration is proud to partner with the Lane Transit District to expand bus rapid transit service in Eugene which is an important part of the region’s commitment to expand and modernize public transportation for hard-working families,” said FTA Acting Administrator McMillan. “This new BRT line will make a huge difference for thousands of commuters who need and deserve reliable transit service.”

The EmX project will include the construction of 26 new stations along the route with seven new hybrid-electric buses, real-time bus arrival information, pre-pay fare collection and transit signal priority.

FTA is contributing $75 million in funding to Lane Transit District through FTA’s Capital Investment Grant Program. FTA’s Small Starts grant comprises approximately 78 percent of the project’s total cost of $96.5 million. The project also received approximately $2 million in other funds from the USDOT. The remaining cost is being covered by the state of Oregon. The extension is expected to be completed by fall 2017.