DOTD awarded federal certification for rail transit program
Friday, July 27, 2018 at 2:47:31 PM
Baton Rouge, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces that it is one of four states recently issued certification for its State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration. SSO Programs oversee the safety programs at all rail transit systems, which in Louisiana, entails the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority streetcar system.
This federal certification allows state transportation departments to continue receiving federal transit funds that support public transportation and the transit system offered throughout the state.
“This certification affords DOTD the opportunity to utilize federal funding to maintain and oversee federal and state safety laws for our rail transit system,” said Multimodal Commerce Commissioner Tommy Clark. “We are delighted our SSO program was able to receive this necessary certification in order to continue to offer exceptional services to residents and motorists throughout Louisiana.”
In accordance with new federal regulations, all transportation departments with rail transit agencies must become certified to receive funding, as well as maintain certification every three years in compliance with FTA standards. Louisiana is one of 21 states thus far to receive this FTA certification well in advance of the April 15, 2019, deadline.
Other states announced today that received certification include Arkansas, Texas and Wisconsin.