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7/24/2014
The Sun Link streetcar system will launch service tomorrow in Tucson, Ariz., with a grand-opening dedication ceremony.The streetcar will offer free rides to the public Friday through Sunday, Sun Link officials said in a statement posted on the Sun Link website. The $196 million modern streetcar system is part of a $2.1 billion regional transportation plan that Pima County, Ariz., voters approved in May 2006. The project was funded by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) through federal and other regional funds. The federal funds included a $63 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant from the Federal Transit Administration in 2010.The city of Tucson and the RTA co-managed the project.Tucson is one of many examples of cities turning to streetcars as a way to stimulate economic development and enhance transportation options between neighborhoods. To learn more about Sun Link and other cities' streetcar projects, read this article that appeared in Progressive Railroading's March 2014 issue.