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FTA 53-04
Contact: Melissa Sabatine, Tel.: (202) 366-4043
Friday, October 08, 2004
U.S. Department of Transportation Invests in Pittsburgh Light Rail System
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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