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Officials break ground on Transbay Transit Center, touting jobs and ARRA funding
Summary
Federal, state and local officials gathered for the Transbay Transit Center groundbreaking, marking the start of construction for a multimodal terminal funded in part by Recovery Act grants; speakers emphasized jobs, regional connectivity and affordable housing components.
Officials and elected leaders gathered Sept. 22 for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Transbay Transit Center site, marking the start of a multi‑phase project intended to create a downtown transit hub and neighborhood redevelopment in San Francisco.
Maria Ierti of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority introduced the program and thanked partners; Nathaniel Ford and Mayor Gavin Newsom highlighted the project’s regional benefits and local planning history. Federal and state officials — including Secretary Ray LaHood, Senator Barbara Boxer, Congressman George Miller, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi — praised the Recovery Act grant that helped unlock construction funding and emphasized jobs and long‑term economic returns.
Speakers cited project scale and funding: roughly $400 million in ARRA funds for the rail levels, additional federal loans and state contributions, an initial phase budget figure cited as approximately $1.2 billion, and projected construction‑period job creation (speakers quoted figures such as 48,000 jobs over the construction period). Officials stressed job training, local hiring and affordable housing components tied to the project’s development.
The ceremonial remarks concluded with officials moving to a formal groundbreak event; speakers framed the project as both a jobs generator for the near term and a strategic investment in regional connectivity and sustainable transportation for the long term.
