The Federal Transit Administration is expected to announce that it will award $1.7 million to GoTriangle to support development planning around the Durham-Orange Light Rail Project.
GoTriangle spokesman Brad Schulz says the grant will help the agency plan what infrastructure should go along the rail line to promote economic development. GoTriangle will be able to look at ways to partner with the local community to promote investments in shops, residential units, affordable housing and other ways to support the rail line.
The $1.7 million will include building infrastructure, including sidewalks, bike stands and water/sewer installations.
According to Triangle Business Journal, GoTriangle and local government partners will likely begin this work in the first half of 2016. GoTriangle, city of Durham and town of Chapel Hill staff will work together for the remainder of 2015 to refine the final work plan.
GOTriangle held an information presentation on Aug. 20 for the 17-mile, 17 station LRT project. In the documentation announcing the meeting, GoTriangle says it plans to award a General Engineering Consultant (GEC) contract in the summer of 2016.
“The GEC’s scope of work will primarily focus on a three-year final design/engineering phase that will advance the project to a 100 percent level of design and related services during construction,” the notification said. “Additional opportunities for professional services will include procurement of a construction management firm for the final design and construction phases and a consultant to augment GoTriangle staff. Construction of the project is expected to begin in 2019, with the start of revenue service in 2025/2026.”