Congressman Cleaver Applauds $50 Million Grant to Expand the Kc Streetcar Project

Statement

Today, United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauded the Federal Transit Administration's announcement of a $50.8 million Capital Investment Grant (CIG) to the Kansas City Streetcar Authority. Last month, Congressman Cleaver joined Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Sam Graves (R-MO), along with Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Josh Hawley (R-MO), to request CIG funding for the project.

"The KC Streetcar has proven to be a tremendous success ever since the first tracks were laid," said Congressman Cleaver. "In just four years, over eight million Kansas Citians have travelled between the River Market and Union Station free-of-charge thanks to the streetcar, with well over six thousand riders taking advantage of the light-rail system each day. Given the positive impact that the streetcar has had on residents and businesses throughout the city, I was happy to join fellow Members of Congress from Missouri and Kansas in supporting the Kansas City Streetcar Authority's recent grant application submitted to the Department of Transportation. Today, I am delighted to report that the federal government has announced a fifty-million dollar grant to the KC Streetcar Authority. With this funding, the KC Streetcar will significantly expand its scope, reach a greater number of Kansas Citians, and make our city more far more accessible, all while boosting the local economy. I want to acknowledge the strong support of Congressman Sam Graves in moving this project forward, and I look forward to working with him on a bipartisan basis to make sure it gets across the finish line."

The current streetcar line is a two-mile track that connects all the city's downtown neighborhoods. The grant funding will go towards development for the KC Streetcar Mainstreet Extension project, creating an additional 3.5 miles and 9 stations from Union Station to the University of Missouri--Kansas City (UMKC). Once completed, the expanded line will run from Kansas City's River Market to the Plaza and provide public transit between some of the area's largest employment centers.

While the FTA has given initial approval for the project, there are several steps that must be taken, including FTA approval of a construction grant agreement, before the funds will be released.

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