Federal grant bolsters Tucson streetcar plan

Tucson, Ariz., has succeeded in landing a $63 million grant from the Federal Transit Administrartion for its planned $196 million, 3.9-mile streetcar project, making it much less likely the new Congress could take away funding for the project in January.

The city, fearful of a federal reneging on fiscal support, sought to land the grant money before the New Year, given that a Republican House of Representatives might withdraw any stimulus funds that are not obligated, including Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants, one of which Tucson has received for its streetcar project.

Tucson still requires FTA approval for the streetcar’s environmental assessment before it can tap the $63 million. FTA is expected to approve the assessment sometime in January; the assessment must be approved by March 31 or Tucson could still forfeit the funding. The city also still needs to secure $26 million to fully fund the project.