| ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI – The Loop Trolley Transportation Development District (TDD) has received approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for a $25 million Urban Circulator Grant to build a fixed-route electric trolley system in the City of St. Louis and University City. The FTA grant is the major funding source for the $43 million project.
The Loop Trolley is one of only five proposed projects out of 65 nationwide to receive the FTA Urban Circulator Grant. Judging criteria include livability, sustainability, economic development and leverage of public/private investments. “This really is an exciting honor for the entire St. Louis region, more than Forest Park and The Loop,” said Joe Edwards, owner of Blueberry Hill and the Moonrise Hotel. A staunch promoter of The Loop revitalization, in 1997 Edwards first proposed bringing back a clean electric transit system to the area. “We’ve always had a goal of building the trolley system without tapping into general funds from the City of St. Louis or University City,” said Edwards. “We’re very pleased with the FTA’s support, comments and suggestions, and we’re grateful to everyone who has worked to bring the Loop Trolley project to this point.” The FTA Urban Circulator grants fund transportation systems such as streetcars that connect urban destinations and foster redevelopment of urban spaces into walkable, mixed-use, high-density environments. The 2.2-mile Loop Trolley will run along Delmar Blvd. and DeBaliviere Avenue, connecting The Loop restaurant, shopping, and arts & entertainment district to Forest Park, with a stop at the Missouri History Museum. The Loop derived its nickname from the streetcar system that serviced the area until 1966. The Loop Trolley TDD has awarded a construction management contract to St. Louis-based Kwame Building Group, Inc., which expects to issue construction package bids soon. The project includes installation of the tracks, construction of 10 station stops, and a roundabout with landscape elements at the western terminus. The Loop Trolley TTD is working with Great Rivers Greenway to extend the St. Vincent Greenway with new landscaping and a multi-use path along DeBaliviere Avenue south to Forest Park. The trolley will run on a grass track along the greenway. The Loop Trolley system will be electrically powered and will operate three cars – a restored historic trolley car and two vintage replica cars that the Loop Trolley TDD is purchasing from Tri-Met, the public transit system in Portland, Oregon. The 2.2-mile Loop Trolley, owned by the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District, will promote connectivity, environmentally friendly transportation, economic development and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. This fixed-track vintage trolley system, built in a first-class manner, will add to the quality of life, increase tourism, and spur economic development. The heritage trolley will be an environmentally positive attraction as well as a prototype for connecting other areas in St. Louis through clean electric transit. The Loop Trolley will be a source of pride for the metropolitan area. For more information, visit www.looptrolley.com or email [email protected]. # # #
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Source: Loop Trolley – News