WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation announcement that the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) in Atlanta, Ga., earned a $12.6 million federal grant to help fund MARTA’s plan for a 9.4-mile bus rapid transit route connecting a downtown Atlanta neighborhood to the midtown Atlanta area.

The grant to MARTA comes through the National Infrastructure Investments Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants program.

“Passengers, drivers and so many others will benefit from this grant, which will address mobility, access and safety challenges in some of our vital Atlanta transportation corridors,” said Isakson, who supported the grant. “The rapid bus transit project once completed will offer much better links between neighborhoods, office buildings, higher education institutions and medical facilities that area residents rely on daily. I congratulate MARTA and the city of Atlanta on this positive news.”

“When the I-85 bridge collapsed, MARTA proved to be critical to moving Georgians around Atlanta,” said Senator Perdue. “It’s great to see the federal government not only recognizes the value of MARTA, but also is willing to invest further in this infrastructure asset. I applaud President Trump and Secretary Chao for making this project a priority.”

“TIGER grants are direct federal investments in projects that will improve our surface transportation at the national, regional or local level,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said.

Specifically, MARTA’s Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit Project was awarded $12,629,760 through this competitive TIGER grant process. The Summerhill Bus Rapid Transit is an approximately 9.4-mile bus rapid transit route connecting the Summerhill neighborhood of Atlanta anchored by Georgia State University to MARTA’s heavy rail system and the Atlanta Streetcar network. The project includes the purchase of approximately five new bus rapid transit vehicles that will operate in a mix of exclusive and shared roadways and the installation of approximately 30 transit station locations with level boarding along with other conveniences.

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