Los Angeles — Moved to Project Development

March 2014

LA Weekly reports that the downtown Los Angeles streetcar project made a major step forward with Federal Transit Administration permission to advance to the "Project Development" phase. This step does not guarantee funding but does allow the project to compete for the $75 million in Federal Small Starts dollars to build the system. Overall cost of the project could be as much as $368 million, inclduing 30 years of operating expenses, according to City Councilman Jose Huizar.

One of the proposed routings for the streetcar line would take it south on Broadway from the Civic Center to 11th Street then back toward the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The streetcar will likely be receive strong ratings in the FTA's new ranking system — particularly in the areas of economic development, cost-effectiveness, and land use. This is due to other transportation investments in Downtown, extensive real estate development, the successful Bringing Back Broadway initiative. and the many opportunities for economic development in the corridor to be served by the streetcar.