WASHINGTON – Congressman Adam H. Putnam (FL-12) and Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-5) have announced that the Lakeland Area Mass Transit District has been awarded $1,514,846 by the Department of Transportation.

“I am pleased with the federal government’s continued involvement in these very important projects because these funds will go a long way to improving the quality of life for the residents of Lakeland and help meet our transportation challenges in Central Florida,” said Putnam. “These funds will go a long way to assist in keeping pace with our region’s growth and the increased pressures on our transportation infrastructure.”

The grant will fund the purchase of four replacement transit buses, an existing building and land located adjacent to the Lakeland Area Mass Transit property, as well as the purchase and installation of four passenger shelters.

“Meeting area and regional transportation needs has been a priority of mine since I arrived in Congress,” said Rep. Brown-Waite.  “This $1.5 million grant from the DOT for new buses, bus shelters and a building in Lakeland will provide much needed transportation and infrastructure upgrades and improvements.  It has been a pleasure to work with Rep. Putnam, knowing that our partnership will benefit all the residents of Lakeland and Lake County.”

This good news comes in addition to yesterday’s passage of H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU).   “The Transportation bill includes $2.2 billion for Florida’s highways, an increase of 28% over the previous highway bill,” concluded Putnam. “This bill brings fairness to Florida’s highway and transit infrastructure, and also marks progress in securing a more equitable funding rate of return for the State.”

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