Milwaukee — Streetcar Plan Surges Forward

Rail Transit Online, June 2011

City officials are working toward a Common Council vote later this year that would authorize a proposed two-mile (3.2 km) downtown streetcar starter lines while at the same time preparing to seek federal funding for two extensions totaling 1.55 mi. (2.5 km). The initial segment would be funded by a $54.9-million federal grant authorized 20 years ago, but never used, and $9.7 million in local tax-increment financing.

Preliminary engineering and environmental work is currently nearing completion on a route operating in mixed traffic between the central business district, the Milwaukee Intermodal Station serving Amtrak and Greyhound and high-density residential areas. The extensions, costing up to $50 million, would run northeast to East Brady Street and northwest to an old brewery that is part of a redevelopment scheme; two previous applications for federal money have been rejected. Officials hope to have the streetcars running in 2013.