Lane Transit District received a large gift Friday from the federal government for its Em-X bus extension to West Eugene.
McMillan: "On behalf of President Obama and the U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Fox, we're pleased to be providing a Small Starts grant of nearly 75 million dollars to help build the West Eugene, Em-X extension."
That's Therese McMillan, the Federal Transportation Administration acting administrator. The grant awarded to LTD is the largest part of the funding for the Em-X extension. Other contributories include the
Oregon Lottery, Department of Transportation, and Connect Oregon funds. Mayor Piercy noted sometimes making big changes in a community are difficult.
Piercy: "It's been a long journey, but the community's continued support, your support, and forward thinking, your forward thinking, has insured this project will serve all of Eugene for generations to come. And I look forward to celebrating the opening of this line of the Em-X, and know we will continue working together to meet the needs of this wonderful city we live in."
Construction has already begun for the West Eugene
Em-X expansion on 6th and 7th Streets. Construction will resume next summer on the areas near West 11th. The busses are expected to begin running in 2017.
copyright, 2015 KLCC