RELATED: First Hill Streetcar Launch Moves Seattle Closer to Connected System
Seattle to break ground on $177M streetcar extension
When complete in 2020 the line will link the city’s two fragmented streetcar lines and connect South Lake Union with downtown and the Chinatown-International District before looping around to reach First Hill and Capitol Hill

The City of Seattle anticipates $83 million from the federal government to help pay for the project, $58 million of which has been approved by Congress, with the remaining $94 million coming from local taxes and utility bills.
SDOT

The City of Seattle anticipates $83 million from the federal government to help pay for the project, $58 million of which has been approved by Congress, with the remaining $94 million coming from local taxes and utility bills.
SDOT
SEATTLE — Early next month, the city will break ground on a $177 million, 1.2-mile Center City Connector streetcar line that, when complete in 2020, will link the city’s two fragmented streetcar lines and connect South Lake Union with downtown and the Chinatown-International District before looping around to reach First Hill and Capitol Hill, The Seattle Times reports.
The City of Seattle anticipates $83 million from the federal government to help pay for the project, $58 million of which has been approved by Congress, with the remaining $94 million coming from local taxes and utility bills.
Previous reports listing the cost at about $152 million did not include the costs of public water and electric utility work. For the full story, click here.
More Rail

New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record
Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.
Read More →
Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges
The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.
Read More →
Stadler, CapMetro Sign Long-Term Rail Fleet Support Agreement
Beginning in 2027, Stadler will provide on-site technical expertise, spare parts support, training, and obsolescence management to help extend the reliability and longevity of CapMetro’s GTW fleet.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
CATS Gold Line Marks 5 Years of Service, 2.8M Passenger Trips
With a six-mile expansion planned, the Charlotte streetcar is positioned to connect more neighborhoods and major transit hubs across the region.
Read More →
Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations
Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.
Read More →
Amtrak Begins Major Construction at New York’s Sunnyside Yard
The new maintenance facility will support Amtrak’s Airo trainsets while improving maintenance efficiency and turnaround times in New York.
Read More →
Chicago Leaders Unveil Plans for O’Hare Airport Express Train
The privately developed project would offer a 15-minute trip between downtown and O’Hare’s Terminal 2, with trains operating every 15 minutes on a dedicated track. The service would use battery-electric trains and three existing freight rail rights-of-way.
Read More →
OCTA Maps Out 30-Year Strategy to Protect Coastal Rail Corridor
The draft feasibility report identifies strategies to protect the coastal rail line for decades as the agency continues near-term stabilization and sand placement efforts.
Read More →