Funding a Desire Named Streetcar

The federal government has delivered on its promise to provide Portland with $75 million for a major streetcar extension. The funds represent redoubled efforts by the Obama administration to support electrified streetcar projects under a seven-year-old program designed to support small-scale urban transport improvement.

Peter Rogoff, the administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, and Representative Earl Blumenauer, Democrat of Oregon, made the announcement Thursday. The new route, which is expected to carry approximately 8,700 passengers each day, is scheduled to begin running in 2011.

The money will add 18 new stations, six new vehicles and create a nearly complete loop around the city of Portland.

via (the NY Times)