The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a $75 million grant to Valley Metro for the Tempe Streetcar project in Tempe, Ariz. The transit infrastructure project will improve mobility and transit service through the historic downtown Tempe area, which is the city's government and financial center, linking riders to Arizona State University and Valley Metro's existing light rail system.
"This federal grant to Valley Metro for the Tempe Streetcar Project will help connect people to jobs and educational opportunities, and support continued economic growth throughout the greater Phoenix area," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao. The Tempe Streetcar is a three-mile streetcar with 14 stations and six vehicles that will connect downtown Tempe, Arizona State University, and the emerging employment corridor of Rio Salado Parkway, which connects existing light rail serving Phoenix, Mesa, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The total project cost is $192.4 million, including a request of $75 million in federal transit infrastructure grants.
"FTA is proud to join our partners in Arizona to improve public transportation in downtown Tempe," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "The Tempe Streetcar will provide fast and efficient service, improving mobility and access to other transportation services for the thousands of riders who use this service every day."
Support for the Tempe Streetcar project is provided through FTA's Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program, which provides funding for major transit infrastructure projects nationwide. Transit infrastructure projects accepted into the CIG program must meet rigorous requirements in law through a multi-year, multi-step process in order to be eligible for consideration to receive program funds.
Since Jan. 20, 2017, FTA has advanced funding for 25 new CIG projects throughout the nation totaling approximately $7.63 billion in funding commitments. With this infrastructure funding agreement, this Administration has executed 16 CIG funding agreements totaling more than $3.53 billion in CIG funding.
