Statement from the Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust Chair on securing federal funding for the Northeast Corridor

This week, the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has approved its request for funding for the Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project and could receive up to $389.5 million in federal-grant funds.

This places the project into the New Starts Engineering phase of the FTA Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. Prior to the Project’s consideration for a Full Funding Grant Agreement, Miami-Dade County will need to submit a revised financial plan, and then receive approval from Congress.

The Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) – the independent trust that voters created in November 2002 to oversee expenditures from the half-penny Surtax that fund the People’s Transportation Plan – is committing $337.8 million of Surtax funds towards the development of the Northeast Corridor.

The following is a statement from Robert Wolfarth, Chair of the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT), regarding securing federal funds for the Northeast Corridor.

“We want to congratulate our Miami-Dade County elected officials, DTPW, and everyone who worked tirelessly to secure federal funding for the Northeast Corridor. There is an abundant demand for commuter rail service along this corridor and receiving FTA’s approval will greatly support its development. This is great news for everyone in Miami-Dade County.

“The Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust has long advocated for commuter rail service along the Northeast Corridor. That is why we have committed more than $337.8 million in Surtax funds towards fully developing this corridor. We commend the Biden Administration, especially Secretary Buttigieg and the FTA, for awarding these funds to our County.”

The CITT also greatly contributed towards funding two end-of-line stations of the Northeast Corridor: The Aventura and MiamiCentral stations.

At the October 2024 Full Trust meeting held October 30, 2024, DTPW presented before the Trust and provided an update on the Northeast Corridor. See here a replay of the broadcast of that meeting.

For information about the CITT and the People's Transportation Plan, the public is encouraged to visit CITT’s website or call 305-375-1357.