The City of Tampa has received $67.3 million dollars of dedicated funding from the Florida Department of Transportation for Tampa’s Streetcar Extension and Modernization Project.
“Today, we are excited to announce the award of $67.3 million of State New Starts transit program funding to the Tampa Streetcar Extension and Modernization system. This is the largest transit funding award the state has ever given to the Tampa Bay region,” said FDOT Secretary David Gwynn. “I’m hoping this strong commitment from the State will also help solidify the City’s position in its pursuit of federal funding for this project.”
This project will transform Tampa’s streetcar system by transitioning to faster modern vehicles and platforms with level-boarding that will improve service for everyone – including people that have special mobility needs. This new modern, expanded streetcar system will serve as a convenient and reliable commuter option to residents, workers, and visitors in Tampa’s greater downtown area.
“To realize transit within our region is going to take a village. It’s going to take partnerships between the City of Tampa, HART, Hillsborough County, the State of Florida, and the federal government, and (with this announcement) we’re well on our way towards the modernization and extension of our streetcar system,” said Tampa’s Director of Mobility Vik Bhide.
“Today is a great step in Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “We are all still hopeful that we will get a positive ruling from the Florida Supreme Court on the All for Transportation funding, and that will bring additional funding into our area so that we can provide more transportation solutions and enable our roads to be safer to travel.”
“By 2040, we will have 100,000 people living within walking distance of this streetcar system,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “That says a lot.”
Future connectivity is key, and this project will position the streetcar system to be ready for future expansions as Tampa continues to grow. Future connections include north up to USF, east to East Tampa neighborhoods, and west to Westshore and the airport.
For more information about the Tampa Streetcar project, visit tampagov.net/capital_projects/studies/streetcar_extension_study
Download the Tampa Streetcar renderings at tampagov.net/MediaToolkit