The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced an investment of more than $900 million to extend San Francisco’s Third Street light rail system.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made the announcement yesterday (October 11), which will eventually see the Third Street system extended through the city’s Chinatown area.
Secretary LaHood said: “San Francisco’s light rail system already plays a vital role in connecting hard-working families, seniors, and visitors with the city’s major employment and medical centers, colleges, and recreational facilities.
“This project to extend the line even further reflects the Obama Administration’s commitment to making smart investments in our nation’s transit infrastructure.”
The project is expected to create 1,000 construction jobs by the end of this year, with more created by the tunnel construction, which gets underway in 2013.
“This project will bring much-needed relief to tens-of-thousands of riders who have had to wait in long lines and squeeze onto over-crowded buses in one of the most densely populated urban communities in the country,” said Administrator Rogoff.
“It will also provide a lifeline to many low-income residents who do not own cars, and are looking for an affordable and efficient route into the downtown business district and beyond.”
The $1.6 billion project will extend Muni light rail service by 1.7 miles of the T-Third line from the 4th Street Caltrain station to Chinatown and includes construction of four new stations, three of them underground.
The first phase of the T-Third Street light rail line went into service in 2007.
