Archive for December, 2009

On December 10, 2009, the Downtown L.A. Streetcar Project received $250k in federal funding to move the streetcar project into its environmental phase of analysis! This funding was secured by Congressmember Lucille Roybal-Allard and will play a critical role in positioning the streetcar project to better compete for a multitude of funding sources. LASI’s Executive Director celebrated this news with Councilmmeber José Huizar, and you can read more here.

“A downtown streetcar will create jobs, help people circulate between destinations, connect transit options and spur economic development while reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “I applaud Congressmember Roybal-Allard for believing in our goal of riding a streetcar Downtown by 2014. We’re very fortunate to have a strong streetcar advocate in Washington D.C.”

- Councilmember José Huizar

Just announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood: $280 million in grant funding will be available for streetcar systems in 2010. Rest assured, LASI and our partners are going to aggressively pursue this funding!

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the availability of $280 million for urban circulator projects such as streetcars, buses, and bus facilities to support communities, expand business opportunities and improve people’s quality of life while also creating jobs. [...]

A maximum amount of $25 million per project will be made available from approximately $130 million in unallocated discretionary New Starts/Small Starts Program funds.  Eligible projects include streetcars and other urban circulator systems. Priority will be given to projects that connect destinations and foster the redevelopment of communities into walkable, mixed use, high-density environments.

A second pot of money totaling $150 million in unallocated discretionary Bus and Bus Facility funds will be available for projects that will foster the preservation and enhancement of urban and rural communities by providing new mobility options which provide access to jobs, healthcare, and education, and/or contribute to the redevelopment of neighborhoods into pedestrian-friendly vibrant environments.

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