Boise — City Seeks ARRA Streetcar Grant

Rail Transit Online, June 2009

Elected officials will request American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to jump-start the proposed downtown streetcar circulator project. Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo has teamed up with Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a longtime streetcar advocate, to write a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood asking for the stimulus money.

The idea came from Boise Mayor Dave Bieter, who wants the system operating by mid-2012. "That is the kind of thing the stimulus package was intended to be used for," Crapo told the Idaho Statesman.

"I indicated (to Bieter) I will be as supportive as I can in trying to get the necessary resources to it."

The initial 2.6-mi. (4.2 km) segment, costing between $40 million and $65 million, would loop along Main and Idaho streets between 1st and 16th streets. Proposed extensions would take the tracks to Boise State University and 30th Street.

The local share, about 50 percent of the capital cost, could come from a variety of sources including property assessment, a bond issue or a special levy.