The Regional Transportation Authority plan includes funding for the implementation of a modern streetcar system in the City of Tucson. The 3.9-mile route extends from the Mercado District on the west side of Interstate 10 to the University Health Sciences Center and travels through downtown Tucson and along 4th Avenue.
The RTA, which is co-managing the construction of the Sun Link system with the City of Tucson, is funding $75 million toward construction and another $12.7 million toward operations. Other funding for the $196.8 million project is through federal dollars, including a $63 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant.
Costs include the streetcars, tracks, overhead wires, power supply, ticket machines, stops, maintenance facility, operations, labor and maintenance.
The system will have seven streetcars that will stop every 10 minutes at the 18 stops planned along the route during the day and every 20 minutes during the evening.
The streetcar will operate on a fixed-rail/electric system at street level and will share a lane of traffic with other vehicles. Technology allows the streetcars to operate safely, quietly and efficiently in high-pedestrian areas to link riders with major activity centers where parking is scarce.