The Arizona Daily Wildcat reported yesterday that the Sun Link streetcar project, which is funded by a Department of Transportation TIGER grant, formally broke ground yesterday in downtown Tucson. Mayor Jonathan Rothschild said that Sun Link would benefit the city and create jobs by connecting businesses and the University of Arizona to downtown.
Also in attendance was U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who thanked state leaders, community members, and construction workers for their contribution to the project.
“This is not only about a streetcar system,” LaHood said. “This is about the jobs that will be provided that would not have been provided if it hadn’t been for the vision of so many in this community.”
Greg Sander, President of the University of Arizona, said that the modern streetcar will have a direct positive impact on downtown as well as the UA campus.
“The availability of modern, clean, sustainable transportation that will impact 50,000 students… will make the expansion into the downtown area of Tucson a reality.”
The Department of Transportation TIGER grant program is part of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities. For more on the Partnership, visit https://smartgrowthamerica.org/partnership.