Arizona Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly announced that the Federal Transit Administration awarded $17.4 million to Valley Metro’s Tempe Streetcar Project.
“Today’s grant funding for the Tempe Streetcar Project continues the expansion and modernization of the Phoenix Metro Area’s transportation system, creates jobs, and helps fuel Arizona’s economic recovery,” said Sinema, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee.
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“As I meet with small business owners and workers across the state, it’s clear we must continue to invest in a modern transportation system that connects Arizonans to more economic opportunities. I am proud to have helped secure this important investment in the Valley’s transportation system,” said Kelly, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
The American Rescue Plan—which Sinema and Kelly helped pass into law—allocated $250 million to fund 22 Small Starts projects in the Capitol Investment Grants program. Valley Metro’s Streetcar Project was one of the projects. These grants are meant to assist project sponsors with their local match.
The Valley Metro Tempe Streetcar Project is a three-mile streetcar with 14 stations and six vehicles that will connect downtown Tempe, Arizona State University, and the emerging employment corridor of Rio Salado Parkway, which connects existing light rail serving Phoenix, Mesa, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Sinema has long championed infrastructure investment in Arizona. Earlier this year, Sinema introduced the bipartisan Moving FIRST Act, which enhances and modernizes the transportation systems of American cities by encouraging the use of innovative technology. Recently, Sinema requested, and helped secure, over $90 million in resources from the Department of Transportation for Arizona’s I-17 expansion. Sinema also recently helped secure $75 million from the Federal Transit Administration for the Tempe Streetcar. While in the U.S. House, Sinema helped secure light rail extension in Mesa, AZ and wrote to the FTA in support of Phoenix South Central’s light rail extension project.
