Amador County – California Department of Transportation last week announced $350 million dollars in grants in the latest cycle, including $750,000 to go to Amador Transit.

Angela DaPrato of Cal-Trans District 10, announced the funding releases last week.

Amador County received approval for $748,218 in grants to the Amador County Transportation Commission for projects in the Amador Regional Transit Systems, now known collectively as Amador Transit.

The funding will upgrade a facility; replace three buses; and purchase an Amador Transit shop truck, a nitrogen air compressor and a dispatch voice system.

Amador Transit grants include $400,000 to purchase three buses and $125,000 to purchase the shop truck. Amador funds also includes $168,000 for the facility upgrade; $25,000 for the nitrogen air compressor; and $30,000 for a dispatch voice override system.

The announcement said Calaveras County received $80,000 in Prop 1B funds, through the Calaveras Council of Governments. The funds will purchase an automated vehicle location system; do bus stop rehabilitation; and purchase schedule holders.

DaPrato said to date, Proposition 1B has provided $1.7 billion dollars in funding to more than 700 transit projects statewide, with 216 having been completed.

Cal-Trans announced that the funding cycle last week awarded $350 million in grants to improve public transit across California. She said 78 “projects will upgrade transit service, purchase eco-friendly buses, modernize transit stations and create jobs throughout the state. The grants are funded through Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, which is providing $3.6 billion over a 10-year period to improve public transit in California.”

Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said the projects “are a direct investment in our state’s public transit system and will help energize California’s economy.” He said: “Not only will these projects help create jobs, they will also reduce traffic congestion, clean the air, and provide Californians with more viable alternatives to rising gas prices.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.