10-08-04
Contact: Melissa Sabatine
Telephone: (202) 366-4043
The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced a $46.7 million grant to the Port Authority of Allegheny County for the Stage II Light Rail Project, a $386 million initiative to re-establish light rail service from downtown Pittsburgh to its South Hill suburbs.
The Port Authority of Allegheny County will use the grant announced today to reimburse for construction expenses accrued during the rebuilding of the Overbrook and Library lines, and to buy new light rail vehicles and communications equipment.
“Expanding and upgrading the “T” offers Pittsburgh residents more options and better connects people to jobs, shoppers to stores and visitors to entertainment centers,” said Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. “President Bush understands that good transit investments play a vital role in strengthening and sustaining the local workforce and stimulating economic growth.”
In April 2000, Port Authority broke ground on the Stage II project along the Overbrook Line, and in June 2004 the new rail line opened its doors to the public. Featuring eight new ADA-accessible stations, the new line offers faster travel times and more convenient travel options for residents, commuters and visitors.
The Stage II Light Rail Project has transformed Pittsburgh’s deteriorating trolley network, which ceased operation in 1993, into a modernized 25-mile light rail system. The project includes the reconstruction of the Overbrook, Library and Drake Trolley lines, building 2,200 parking spaces and buying 28 new light rail vehicles. The light rail system provides a more efficient and faster service that has attracted approximately13,000 new weekday riders.
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