By Blake Driver, Reporter for Albuquerque Business First:

Albuquerque is slated to receive $69 million from the Federal Transit Administration toward the construction of the controversial Albuquerque Rapid Transit initiative along Central Avenue.

President Barack Obama released information about his proposed 2017 budget Tuesday morning, and Mayor Richard J. Berry tweeted it to his followers:

“BREAKING: $69m has been included for our #brtabq rapid transit project in @POTUS budget. All funding is now in place!”

Initially, planners were hoping to receive $80 million toward the $100 million project, which was increased recently to $119 million to cover design changes made in response to suggestions and concerns raised at neighborhood meetings. Changes include pedestrian lighting, improved sidewalks, additional traffic signals to improve traffic movement, landscaping, and road safety audit recommendations for San Mateo Boulevard, among others, according to project manager Dayna Crawford.

Crawford said the city will provide $5.4 million in matching funds in addition to $13 million in City Council bond money. Another $30.9 million would come from “other federal funds.” Crawford was not immediately available for comment to explain where those supplemental federal funds might come from. Click here to read more.