Cincinnati Streetcar Wins $10.9 Million Federal Grant

TIGER III Grant Extends Route From Fountain Square To The Banks

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stood with Mayor Mark Mallory today to announce that the Cincinnati Streetcar project has been awarded a $10.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The City will use the additional funding to lengthen the Streetcar route an additional mile, stretching the route down to The Banks development on Second Street.

"The fact that the Secretary came to Cincinnati to make the announcement shows that the Administration believes in this project and its ability to transform Cincinnati," Mayor Mark Mallory said. "The Streetcar will bring more people, more investment, and more jobs to the heart of our city. The grant allows us to extend the route from Fountain Square to the riverfront, and that will make all of the new development at the Banks more accessible to everyone."

• Video: Watch The Announcement

The City of Cincinnati competed with 827 other applications to win the grant through the Department of Transportation's Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) III funding process.

"This grant helps us make the streetcar system the economic driver it can be. It will work with our other investments to make Cincinnati a truly competitive city," said City Manager Milton Dohoney Jr.

The City is currently negotiating the scope of utility relocation along the Streetcar line, which will be the first step in construction of the system. Initial utility work is expected to begin in early 2012. The first segment of the Streetcar system will link The Banks to Findlay Market. Future additions will reach the University of Cincinnati, the zoo and other neighborhoods.

More information on the Streetcar is available at cincinnatistreetcar.com. To follow updates regarding the Streetcar project, visit the Streetcar's Facebook page, Twitter feed, YouTube channel, or the Cincy Streetcar blog.