WA-2022-013

Application Executive Summary

This application requests $37,150,000 in FY 2021 Federal Section 5309 Small Starts discretionary funds to construct Community Transit's third line of Bus Rapid Transit - Swift Orange. (Discretionary ID #D2021-SMST-002)

Purpose:
The purpose of this award is to provide CIG funding for the Swift Orange Line BRT project.

Activities:
The project includes construction and/or minor improvements at 13 total stations comprising 26 total platforms, of which 19 will be new station platforms and seven will be existing station platforms. It also includes improvements to create termini facilities at Edmonds College in Lynnwood and the McCollum Park - Park and Ride near Mill Creek. Other activities include acquisition of real property and easements, construction of new station platforms, upgrades to existing platforms for signage and lighting, passenger amenities and improved access along the entire line, fare collection and information systems, roadway improvements and transit signal priority infrastructure, design engineering, construction management, permits, and other items to achieve full project implementation. Additionally, approximately fifteen (15) Swift branded 60ft articulated buses will be purchased for the service.

Outcomes:
Funding will provide a crucial piece of the transportation system in Snohomish County with a direct bus rapid transit connection to link light rail in Lynnwood. The Swift Orange Line will expand travel options, reduce commute times, and accommodate a larger share of the region's growth.

Intended Beneficiaries:
All current and new transit passengers in our public transportation benefit area.

Subrecipients:
None

Project Description:
The project is an 11.3-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Snohomish County, Washington, in the corridor between Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood and the McCollum Park Park-and-Ride in Mill Creek. The project includes construction and/or minor improvements at 13 total stations comprising 26 total platforms, of which 19 will be new station platforms and seven will be existing station platforms. The project will also include the purchase of 15 vehicles, queue bypass lanes, and transit signal priority. The service is planned to operate 19 hours per weekday in the opening year, with buses every 10 minutes during peak and off-peak hours and every 20 minutes during evenings. On weekends, the service is planned to operate 17 hours each day with buses every 20 minutes throughout the day. In the horizon year, the service is planned to operate 22 hours daily, with buses every 10 minutes during peak and off-peak hours and every 20 minutes during evenings and weekends. The revenue service date is October 10, 2024. The total CIG project cost is $79,440,502.

Funding Sources:
The funding sources for the overall CIG project include:

Federal Funds:
- $37,150,000 in FY 2021 Section 5309 CIG Small Starts funds (this grant application)
- $5,000,000 in Section 5307 (obligated under grant # WA-90-X588 for project development)
- $7,000,000 in CMAQ funds transferred to 5307 in FY 2022 (for vehicles; not yet entered into TRAMS)
- $4,088,240 in Section 5307 funds FY 2023 (for Edmonds terminus; not yet entered into TRAMS)
- $5,000,000 in Section 5307 FY 2021-22 (for stations; not yet entered into TRAMS)
- $6,498,606 in FY 2021 ARP CIG Section 5309 funds (for vehicles, discretionary ID # D2021-RPSS-019, TRAMS temporary FAIN # 2578-2021-4)

Total Federal: $64,736,846 (81.5% of total estimated CIG project cost)

Non-Federal Funds:
- $4,430,596 local sales tax (match included in this grant application)
- $5,272,060 local sales tax ($1,250,000 in grant WA-90-X588 and $4,022,060 not yet entered into TRAMS)
- $5,001,000 WSDOT Connecting WA Legislative Evaluation Accountability Program (LEAP) funding (match included in this grant application)

Total Non-Federal: $14,703,656 (18.5% of total estimated project cost)

Federal Funds:
The total capital cost of the portion of project work to be funded with this grant application is $46,581,596. Matching funds for this specific grant application in the amount of $4,430,596 will come from local sales tax revenues and $5,001,000 from WSDOT Connecting WA Legislative Evaluation Accountability Program (LEAP) funding. FTA previously awarded $5,000,000 (in FTA Section 5307 funds) under grant WA-90-X-588 for project development work. Additional federal grant funds from other federal sources totaling $22,586,846 will be awarded at a future date.

Additional Information:
Total project cost: $79,440,502
Total FTA Small Starts contribution: $37,150,000
Maximum percentage of Small Starts participation: 46.8%
Total federal amount: $64,736,846 (81.5%)
Including ARP

Scope to be funded by this grant: $46,581,596

Snohomish County Pub Trans

20.500 - Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants

FTA Region 10 [DOT - FTA]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

Washington United States

State-Wide

None