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Technical Transportation Committee reallocates federal transit funds to buy buses, approves $324,113 funding trade
Summary
On May 20, 2026, the Technical Transportation Committee approved a TIP amendment reallocating federal funds flexed to CityBus from a sidewalk project to bus purchases after the FTA declined NEPA review; the committee also approved a $324,113 funding trade with the Columbus MPO for County Road 600N/50W.
Phillip Dunston’s Technical Transportation Committee approved two TIP amendments at its May 20, 2026 meeting that reshape how federal transit and MPO funds will be spent in the metropolitan area.
APC staffer Doug Poad told the committee that federal funds previously flexed to CityBus for sidewalk work at the US‑52/Paramount Drive intersection will instead be redirected to purchase additional buses. Poad said the Federal Transit Administration, following staffing reductions, declined to proceed with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews for the sidewalk project; with the FTA not taking NEPA on sidewalks, the committee approved shifting the flexed federal dollars to bus procurement and using local funds to construct the sidewalks so the project can move forward. The amendment passed on a unanimous voice vote after a motion from Stu Kline and a second from Scott Chandler.
The committee also approved a funding trade requested by the Area Plan Commission that reallocates $324,113 with the Columbus MPO to adjust the County Road 600N/50W project schedule. Doug Poad explained that trail work had been advanced from a later phase into an earlier phase, which would jeopardize right‑of‑way funds programmed for 2027; the trade moves the 2027 right‑of‑way funds into the 2029 construction phase to maintain project sequencing. Scott Chandler moved the funding trade and Stu Kline seconded; the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Both actions were described by staff as administrative reallocations to preserve delivery schedules: the CityBus change avoids a protracted federal NEPA process for sidewalk work while keeping the transit purchase under the federal flexed allocation, and the Columbus MPO trade prevents a funding gap for the County Road project caused by a phase‑shift in trail construction.
Bill Smith, representing INDOT, noted staffing and coordination dynamics affecting permits and project schedules during the meeting; he also announced this was his last meeting and that Chris Wheeler will replace him in his district role. APC staff did not provide a specific timeline for procurement or local sidewalk construction beyond the approval to reallocate funds.
The committee’s actions will be reflected in an amended TIP and carried forward by APC staff into respective program and letting schedules.
