8/28/2014
Contact: Angela Gates
202-309-8382

CLEVELAND – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today celebrated the opening of Cleveland’s Cedar-University Rapid Station that will make it easier for transit riders to connect to bus and rail services at one of the city’s busiest transfer locations. FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan was joined by Mayor Frank Jackson, Cleveland City Councilwoman Mamie Mitchell, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) General Manager Joe Calabrese, and other local officials at a ribbon-cutting event.

“The Obama Administration is proud to partner with Cleveland to support critical station improvements that will make it safer and more convenient than ever for residents to take transit to work, school, medical facilities and other opportunities throughout the region,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “It’s the kind of project we’d like to see more of, and one way to do that is if Congress supports our GROW AMERICA Act to provide long-term funding for transit systems, roads and bridges nationwide.”

If Congress passes the GROW AMERICA Act, State of Ohio transit agencies will receive approximately $60 million in State of Good Repair Program funding in FY 2015. This funding, used to improve rail transit infrastructure, represents an increase of $37.5 million over the amount provided in FY 2014.

The new station, near Case Western Reserve University, replaces an aging rail station and bus terminal, built in 1956, with a modern facility that significantly improves access for pedestrians and people with disabilities. The project included complete reconstruction of the rail station and relocation of the bus terminal to the north side of Cedar Glen, eliminating the need for street crossings and enhancing pedestrian connections between the bus terminal and rail station.

“Cleveland deserves a safe, efficient and reliable transit system that meets the needs of its riders, and provides easy and affordable access to jobs and other opportunities throughout Cuyahoga County,” said Acting Administrator McMillan. “This project helps to ensure that University Circle remains a vibrant, attractive neighborhood offering good transportation choices to hard-working families, students, and other residents.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation contributed more than $16 million toward the $20 million project, including $10.5 million through its Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program and $5.5 million in other FTA grant funds. The remaining cost was covered by local sources, including the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency and a group of local businesses led by the Cleveland Foundation, including University Circle Inc., Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic.