Cincinnati — Streetcar Passes Green Assessment

Rail Transit Online, June 2011

The FTA has issued a finding of no significant (environmental) impact," or FONSI, for the proposed downtown streetcar project, clearing the way for the release of a $29-million federal capital grant. In addition, the city has signed an agreement with the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority making the agency the officially-designated recipient of federal funds and the streetcar's operator.

The city can now issue tenders for construction and five vehicles. The three-mile (4.8 km) project was shortened by nearly two miles (3.2 km) after the State of Ohio earlier this year withdrew $52 million promised by a previous administration. It will now connect Fountain Square downtown with Findlay Market in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood at an estimated cost of $95 million.

Further savings could be made if a streetcar using both batteries and catenary is selected; overhead wiring would only be required along a portion of the route. The city hopes to eventually complete the original alignment, adding segments from Fountain Square to the riverfront and from Findlay Market to the University of Cincinnati area.