The Sacramento City Council Tuesday is expected to take the next step to bring a streetcar to Sacramento and West Sacramento. Some of the agencies involved think they may be able to expand the project sooner than expected.
Project managers are asking for $3 million to complete the planning phase of the new line.
Councilman Steve Hansen says this project will undo a mistake made by the City in the 1950's when it did away with its streetcar.
"We've selected a modern street car, not an antique-looking one because of the ability to do something different, we're going to have as much of a low floor as possible. You won't have ramps or any of that stuff. You'll basically be able to walk in at curb level into it."
The starter line was originally supposed to cost $150 million. But agencies involved in the project say there might be money, $50 million, available to include extensions to Raley Field, Riverfront Street and K Street earlier than planned.
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments and Sacramento Regional Transit say there is an additional $25 million in local funding that is available if the Federal Transit Administration increases its share by the same amount.
The feds have already pledged $75 million, but this year increased the maximum amount available for such projects by $25 million.
Follow us for more stories like this
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today