July 24, 2012

Manchin, Rahall, Rockefeller Announce DOT Funding for Tri-State Transit Authority

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), along with Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin (both D-W.Va.), Tuesday announced that the Tri-State Transit Authority (TTA) has been selected on a competitive basis to receive a federal grant to expand its facility in Huntington.

“This federal funding will finish the job already begun with a sister grant received earlier to enhance workspace already a couple of generations old. TTA provides an invaluable service to enhance the quality of life for its riders, all the while raising the attractiveness of our communities to businesses, visitors and families alike,” said Rahall, top Democrat on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “As we meet the future transportation needs of the nation, public transit remains a worthy investment for federal dollars."

“This grant will help the Tri-State Transit Authority better serve people who use these buses every day – to get to school, the doctor’s office, or to work,” said Senator Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “This is about investing in our communities and these new upgrades and additions will help the organization in its mission to provide reliable access to public transportation in the tri-state region.”

“As businesses expand in Huntington, it’s important to invest in our transportation and infrastructure to make sure that we continue to boost our competitive nature throughout Cabell County, as well as across West Virginia and our great nation,” Senator Manchin said. “This funding will help to strengthen the business climate across West Virginia to make the state even more attractive for business opportunities.”

Tri-State Transit Authority will receive a $320,000 Administrative Facility Rehabilitation grant to build a second floor addition to the Huntington administrative/maintenance office, originally built in 1974, to address capacity constraints and increasing service needs. The project was selected on a competitive basis through the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration’s FY 2012 State of Good Repair Program, which provides federal funding for maintaining the nation’s bus and rail systems to ensure public transportation systems are providing safe and reliable service to millions of daily riders.