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Yesterday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced it signed Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program grant agreements with local governments regarding four streetcar and streetcar-related projects, and one light-rail project.

An agreement with the city of Tucson, Ariz., for a $63 million TIGER grant involves a proposed 3.9-mile streetcar line. The grant will help the city fund construction of stations, stops, terminals, tracks and support facilities, as well as the purchase of streetcar vehicles and land.

An agreement with the New Orleans Regional Transportation Authority for a $45 million TIGER grant will help spur development of the Union Passenger Terminal/Loyola Loop streetcar project in New Orleans. The terminal is a major southern hub for Amtrak.

Meanwhile, an agreement with the North Central Texas Council of Governments for a $23 million TIGER grant will spur construction of a streetcar project in Dallas. The downtown streetcar system will run along Main Street and include a stop at Union Station, providing access to Dallas Area Rapid Transit and Trinity Railway Express services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

An agreement with the city of Portland, Ore., for a $23.2 million TIGER grant will spur the reconstruction of Moody Avenue in the city’s south waterfront area. The proceeds will help fund street widening and the addition of dual streetcar tracks and three automobile traffic lanes. The street will be elevated 14 feet to link with a transit bridge currently under construction.  The bridge will accommodate streetcar, light-rail, bus, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

The FTA also signed an agreement with the city of Detroit and Michigan Department of Transportation for a $25 million TIGER grant involving an initial 3.4-mile, 12-station light-rail line. The initial line would connect downtown Detroit to the New Center district. A second proposed phase would extend the light-rail line about 5.9 miles to an area near the state fairgrounds. The FTA is completing an environmental impact statement for both phases.