Tempe Streetcar project receives federal clearance to enter construction

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Valley Metro

Valley Metro received a Letter of No Prejudice on the Tempe Streetcar project from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The letter means the rail project is cleared to proceed to the next phase of construction.

Preliminary construction and underground utility work is currently underway. Valley Metro expects construction will shift into high gear this fall with the building of the system’s rail trackway, power systems and street improvements.

The rail project construction, estimated to cost $176.6 million, will proceed pending approval of a requested grant from the FTA Small Starts program. Valley Metro says it hopes to enter into a funding agreement with FTA in early 2019.

“This milestone would not have been possible without the support of our federal delegation and officials at FTA, for which we are grateful. With this approval, we can now move forward to keep this project on budget and on schedule,” said Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell. “Many, including advocates in the local business community, have been working tirelessly to see this project come to fruition for the betterment of our community’s quality of life and economic sustainability.”

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