Milwaukee — Streetcar Receives Federal Approval

February 2012

On January 25, 2012 Federal approval was given to the Milwaukee downtown streetcar plan, according to the Business Journal. The approval means that $54.9 million of federal funds may now be spent for engineering and construction work. A Federal Transit Administration ruling of "no significant impact" was awarded to the project after it reviewed commentary from citizens. The next step is for the city to engage a transportation consultant expert in streetcar construction to oversee the project. If all goes according to plan, final engineering would start in August, utility relocation work would be done between May and October 2013 followed by construction of the track and the operations and maintenance faility.

Opposition comments forecasting low ridership and extra expense to move utilities from the path of the track have not stopped the project.