Tucson, Ariz. broke ground on a new 3.9-mile modern streetcar line project that will directly connect thousands of commuters with Tucson’s major downtown employers, health care facilities, the University of Arizona and regional attractions.
The Tucson streetcar line will serve a population of more than 85,000 people who live and work within walking distance of 17 planned stops. The service also fills a gap by offering direct, high-capacity transit connections between downtown Tucson, the University of Arizona, the Arizona Health Sciences Center and points in between. Travel times between the University District and downtown are expected to improve significantly over current bus service, once the streetcar line is operational.
The streetcar project is expected to create an estimated 1,200 construction-related jobs. Oregon Iron Works Inc./United Streetcar of Portland, Ore., a U.S. manufacturer of modern streetcar vehicles, has been awarded the contract to build the cars.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has committed $78.7 million to the $196.6 million project thus far, including $63 million in TIGER funds awarded in 2010 and $15.7 million from other Transportation Department funding sources.
Ariz. breaks ground on $197M streetcar project
Will serve a population of more than 85,000 people who live and work within walking distance of 17 planned stops. The U.S. Department of Transportation has committed $78.7 million to the $196.6 million project thus far, including $63 million in TIGER funds awarded in 2010 and $15.7 million from other Transportation Department funding sources.
More Rail
Caltrain Adopts Corridor-Wide Right-of-Way Safety Strategy
Caltrain and its partners have implemented safety improvements at specific locations in response to known risk conditions, operational needs, and available funding since the agency’s founding.
Read More →
Building a National Framework for Transit Safety and Consistency
On a recent episode of METROspectives, METRO Magazine’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with Ana-Maria Tomlinson, Director of Strategic & Cross-Sector Programs at the CSA Group, to explore a bold initiative aimed at addressing those challenges: the development of a National Code for Transit and Passenger Rail Systems in Canada.
Read More →
FTA Invests $686M to Modernize Aging Rail Stations
Competitive FTA grants will support accessibility upgrades, family-friendly improvements, and cost-efficient capital projects at some of the nation’s oldest and busiest transit hubs.
Read More →
MBTA Updates Rail Modernization Plan to Expand Reliability and Accessibility
The strategy outlines near- and long-term upgrades to ease congestion, support housing growth, and advance statewide climate goals.
Read More →
LA Metro Sets D Line Subway Extension Launch Date
The 3.92-mile addition will soon take riders west beyond its current Wilshire and Western station in Koreatown, continuing under Wilshire Boulevard through neighborhoods and communities including Hancock Park, Windsor Square, the Fairfax District, and Carthay Circle into Beverly Hills.
Read More →
Boston's MBTA Marks Progress in Regional Rail Modernization
The procurement advances the agency's broader efforts to modernize its rail fleet and position Regional Rail for long-term improvement.
Read More →
Amtrak Sets New Course for Long-Distance Fleet Renewal
Under the plan, all long-distance routes will transition to a universal single-level fleet, replacing today’s mix of bi-level and single-level equipment.
Read More →
STV Finalizes Design for First Phase of TriMet MAX Blue Line Substation Upgrades
The milestone is a significant step toward modernizing the MAX Blue Line’s power infrastructure, one of the oldest components of the region’s light rail system.
Read More →
HDR Selected to Advance LA–Coachella Valley Rail Corridor Project
The firm will lead the Tier 2 environmental review program for the Coachella Valley Rail Corridor, including the conceptual and preliminary engineering needed to develop project-level environmental clearance.
Read More →
Contractor Chosen to Help Build Austin Light Rail
The ATP board’s approval of ARC enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities and advance final design for Austin Light Rail under the first phase of what will be a multibillion-dollar contract.
Read More →