CLEVELAND – The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) has been awared $16 million in federal grant money to “rehabilitate eight stations along the Light Rail Blue Line” for better accessibility for those with disabilities, according to a GCRTA press release.
The funding comes from the Biden-Harris Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration All Stations Accessibility Program, which was created in 2021 out of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“Improving the accessibility of these rail stations will improve transit options for riders with disabilities and create opportunity for everyone,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, in the release.
Some of the improvements include new platforms with “tactile warning panels,” redesigned ramps, platform elevations and curb ramps for parking stalls, according to the release.
“As a daily Paratransit customer for over 18 years, I want to thank Senator Brown for his leadership and ongoing efforts in improving public transportation and supporting our ADA community,” said Rev. Charles P. Lucas, GCRTA immediate past president and current board trustee in the release. “Paratransit is a lifeline for many people with disabilities and for seniors, it keeps us independent and involved in the community.”
Michael Schipper, GCRTA deputy general manager engineering & project management, called this excellent news.
“We are very thankful to win this grant for a second time after having won an ASAP grant of $8 million in 2023, for the rehabilitation of the E.79th Street Light Rail Station,” he said in the release.