State Grant Gives Tampa Streetcar a Big Cash Infusion

Next stop: A bigger, better Tampa Streetcar.

1 minute read

December 27, 2020, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Centro Ybor

VIAVAL TOURS / Shutterstock

"Transportation officials announced that Tampa has received the largest single transit award in the city's history to expand the streetcar system," reports D'Ann Lawrence White.

The Florida Department of Transportation awarded the city a $67.3 million grant from the Florida New Starts transit program to fund Tampa's Streetcar Extension and Modernization Project. FDOT Secretary David Gwynn is quoted in the article saying it’s the largest grant ever awarded to the city from the state of Florida.

The Streetcar Extension and Modernization Project will transition to faster, modern vehicles and install level boarding. The modernization fo the system would include the replacement of the system's historic streetcars with sleep, modern streetcars, according to the article. Mayor Jane Castor is also quoted in the article saying that the Streetcar will have 100,000 people living in proximity to the system by 2040.

"A $2.7 million grant from the FDOT in 2018 allowed the city to implement the first phase of the InVision: Tampa Streetcar plan," writes White for more background on the state's support of the city's streetcar extension plans.

Thursday, December 10, 2020 in Tampa Patch

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City