Congressman Cleaver Applauds $14.2 Million Grant Toward KC Streetcar Expansion

Press Release

Yesterday, United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) applauded the announcement of a $14.2 million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant awarded to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to extend the Kansas City Streetcar.

"This is another major win for the KC Streetcar, the people of Kansas City, and the businesses who will benefit from additional accessibility," said Congressman Cleaver. "As we've seen over the last four years, millions of riders have utilized this light-rail system to get around downtown free-of-charge to the benefit of small businesses, workers, and consumers alike. I'm proud to have supported this grant funding, and I will continue to be a strong advocate for federal investments in infrastructure in the months and years ahead."

The current streetcar line is a two-mile track that connects all the city's downtown neighborhoods. The $14.2 million in funding will go toward extending the streetcar line approximately .55 mile from its current terminus near 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard, across the existing Grand Avenue Bridge, to the Berkley Riverfront.

Last month, following a letter of support from Congressman Cleaver and other local lawmakers, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a separate $50.8 million Capital Investment Grant (CIG) had been awarded to the Kansas City Streetcar Authority to further develop the KC Streetcar Mainstreet Extension project. This expansion would create an additional 3.5 miles and 9 stations from Union Station to the University of Missouri--Kansas City (UMKC).

Once the two extensions are completed, the expanded lines will run from Berkley Riverfront Park to UMKC and provide public transit between some of the area's largest employment centers free-of-charge.

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