Ft. Worth streetcar still on table despite questions

FTA denies application

Steve Hawley, Mar 04, 10.

Fort Worth officials are still considering a 20-mile streetcar proposal despite questions about routes and cost, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The council is expected to vote on a proposed $1.8 million consultant study next week.

The project hit an obstacle last month when the Federal Transit Administration turned down the city’s request for $25 million in grant assistance.

Some city council members expressed concern that the city was investing too much in downtown transportation projects and not enough in outlying areas. Others questioned how the streetcar would fir into the city’s bus and commuter rail system. However, assistant planning director Dana Burghdoff told them, “We learned from some of our peer cities—having that additional mode can actually increase the ridership on regional rail.”

Another city council member suggested that proceeding with a consultant study might make the project more attractive for federal funding in the future.

(Photo credit: cacophony)