NORMAN – The City of Norman has been awarded federal grant funding in the amount of $776,713.50 as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for transit projects that will make way for new CNG (compressed natural gas) cutaway vans for the community. Norman is one of 130 projects awarded funding nationwide and the only agency in Oklahoma to see funding from the grant program structured for low/no-emission transit proposals consecutively for the last three years.

The CNG vehicles will replaces six paratransit vehicles that have exceeded their useful life. The project will improve air quality and enhance mobility, reliability and safety for people with disabilities that rely on transit to reach jobs and essential services. The grant funding will match with local funds of $258,904.50 for a total of $1,035,618.

“I commend the hard work and dedication of our transit team who have exhausted every grant funding opportunity possible to provide the most benefit to the Norman taxpayer,” said Shawn O’Leary, Director of Public Works. “Through hard work in exploring grant possibilities, this team has led the charge in replacing much of our public transit fleet for the betterment of the community.”

The grant application was completed by the City of Norman’s Transit Planner & Grants Specialist Jason Huff and Transit & Parking Manager Taylor Johnson.

The awarded funding totals nearly $1.7 billion in transit projects in 46 states and territories, according to a FTA press release dated June 26. The funding invests in more than 1,700 American-built buses that will be manufactured with American parts and labor. City of Norman staff aims to formalize the grant in coming months and expects to receive the vehicles in 2024.

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