Tucson ― Streetcar Progress

Rail Transit Online, October 2007

City Manager Mike Hein has ordered city departments dealing with infrastructure to have plans ready and costs estimated for utility relocation along the proposed four-mile (6.4 km) streetcar line.  The route, using University Boulevard, Fourth Avenue, Congress Street, Granada Avenue and Cushing Street, will serve the University Medical Center, the University of Arizona campus and downtown, terminating at the Rio Nuevo cultural center.  Assistant City Manager Karen Masbruch will work with private utility companies which have facilities that must be moved but has set no deadline for reports from them.  Construction is set to start in summer 2009 followed by revenue service in 2012. 

Meanwhile, the project team was hoping to complete the draft environmental assessment by the end of September for submission to the FTA.  The team is also starting to prepare a funding application for the FTA Small Starts program and is continuing to develop a detailed plan and schedule for design, procurement, and delivery of a modern streetcar.  It is anticipated that the City of Tucson will release a Request for Proposals for vehicles in early 2008.
Web site: www.tucsontransitstudy.com