Transportation systems receive large grants

The Department of Homeland Security is distributing grants to ports, transit and intercity bus systems to strengthen the nation’s ability to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies. These awards are part of the Infrastructure Protection Program (IPP), which are comprised of seven programs constituting major critical infrastructure sectors.
A total of $135 million in grants was distributed, with the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut receiving the largest grant, for nearly $54 million. The National Capital Region in Washington, D.C., got $14 million and San Francisco received $11 million.
Other grant highlights include:
* Broward County Transit in South Florida plans to purchase more CCTV cameras and an access control/alarm monitoring card reader program with its $600,000 grant.
* The Regional Transportation District of Denver was awarded $1.1 million to provide video surveillance equipment at existing light rail stations.
* The Port Authority of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh plans to spend its nearly $900,000 grant on rail emergency carts and perimeter security systems, as well as in-bus CCTV systems.
* The Metro transit system of St. Louis is splitting its $1.5 million award between rail security and intercity bus security.
* The Metropolitan Transit System of San Diego was awarded $1.24 million, which officials say will be used to further enhance and install vital security components to the transit system.
* Transit systems in Cleveland were awarded nearly $900,000.