The modern streetcar project is part of the $2.1 billion Regional Transportation Plan, approved by Pima County voters in May 2006. The project is funded by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and through federal and other regional funds. The City of Tucson and the RTA are co-managing the project.
Community Involvement - Since its inception, the Tucson Modern Streetcar Project Team has sought community involvement and public input to help shape the course and direction of the project. A main component of this effort was the formation of a Community Liaison Group (CLG) made up of representatives of key stakeholder groups along the route alignment. The CLG was formed in 2004 and has been instrumental as part of the extensive community outreach campaign utilized to ensure widespread public awareness of the alternative transit options under consideration. To find out more about the CLG click here.
Streetcar System – The fixed-guideway electric rail system will have seven ADA-compliant vehicles in operation, sharing a travel lane with other vehicles and will be compatible with street parking. The streetcars also will accommodate bicycles and have easy roll-on access for wheelchairs and strollers. The vehicles will stop at 18 points along the route.
Streetcar Frequency – The streetcar is expected to reach a stop every 10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes during the evening.
Streetcar Cost and Funding Sources
Cost: Estimated at $196.8 million, including the maintenance facility, vehicles and other supporting facilities.
Funding: There are two funding sources - local and federal
Local
- $88 million in RTA funding for capital and operations costs.
- $11 million pledged by local utilities
- $3.2 million pledged by Gadsden Development Co. for Mercado District improvements
- $4.6 million from City of Tucson grants and other sources
Federal
- $63 million awarded in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grant funds
- $6 million of $25 million received to-date in federal New Starts appropriations.
- $14.98 million for the Luis G. Gutierrez (Cushing Street) Bridge project
An application for an additional $26.45 million from a TIGER II Grant was submitted to the Federal Transit Administration.
Project Scheduling
- Current: Construction to begin soon
- Fall 2010: Utilities relocation
- Early - Mid 2011: 100% design complete for rail installation
- Late 2011: Bidding process for contractors
- Early 2012: Project construction begins
- Early 2013 : Streetcar vehicle testing on site
- Late 2013: Streetcar service begins
