SEPTA Gets Almost $500 Million For Capital Improvements
March 14,2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) announced that the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will receive approximately $500 million in additional capital funding over 5-years from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Congressman Fitzpatrick’s efforts in crafting and passing the IIJA mean that the 1st Congressional District of Pennsylvania will receive funding for better roads, bridges, rail, water, and other needed infrastructure projects.
Passage last week of the Federal Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill will fund the transportation investments made possible in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. SEPTA anticipates approximately $95 million in additional funding will be made available for capital projects in its current fiscal year, which runs through June 30, 2022, and the Authority recently held public hearings to amend its FY 2022 capital budget to begin deploying these critical infrastructure investments.
SEPTA’s proposed budget amendment will put that money towards 21 projects that will benefit Southeastern Pennsylvania. In Bucks County, the bipartisan infrastructure law will allow SEPTA to increase funding for the Bristol Station Accessibility Improvement project by $7.5 million in FY 2022. The $30 million project will make Bristol Station fully ADA accessible, and SEPTA’s previous budget did not anticipate funding this project until 2027. IIJA funding will allow SEPTA to dedicate an additional $15 million for Regional Rail bridge repairs and $4 million more for grade crossing safety improvements, which will benefit residents of the 1st Congressional District. SEPTA’s Board is expected to vote on the amended capital budget at its meeting on March 24, 2022.
“I am glad to see that the bipartisan infrastructure law that I crafted, supported, and helped to pass is already making a difference in my district,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, “This money will help SEPTA better serve people across Bucks and Montgomery counties, and I look forward to seeing even more projects that would only happen as a result of the IIJA.”
“SEPTA is very grateful to Congressman Fitzpatrick for his leadership in helping to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act along with the members of our southeastern Pennsylvania Congressional delegation,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. “Funding in the bipartisan infrastructure bill will help SEPTA accelerate much needed repair and replacement work, and I think our riders and communities will be pleased with how we plan to balance critical infrastructure projects and accessibility enhancements like Bristol Station while continuing to advance elements of our Projects of Regional Significance.”
The new funding will help SEPTA advance other projects that will improve the efficiency, convenience, safety, and passenger capacity for the entire system. SEPTA is developing its Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Budget and 12-year Capital Program to maximize this unparalleled federal commitment to transit infrastructure. Congressman Fitzpatrick looks forward to having SEPTA’s capital budget vetted by the communities SEPTA serves during the upcoming public comment period in April and May.