A grand opening ceremony will be held to mark the completion of the TECO Line Streetcar System extension project. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio are scheduled to speak.
The extension adds one-third of a mile to the 2.4-mile streetcar system to better connect some of Tampa's most popular tourist, entertainment and business districts: Ybor City, the Channel District and Downtown Tampa. It also adds the new Whiting Streetcar Station, which includes Siteliner, a special lighted public art feature by James Woodfill.
The design and construction cost of this extension project was $5.3 million, funded mainly with federal dollars, including about $1 million paid for by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The extended line and new station opened to the public in December 2010.
"By extending the streetcar, we were able to create vital construction jobs in Tampa," U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said. "The extension will also serve as an important connection to Tampa's upcoming high-speed rail line, which is expected to create thousands of jobs in our community." Castor secured federal funding for this project.
HART Board members and Tampa Historic Streetcar Board members are also scheduled to be in attendance.
For more information about the streetcar system, including hours of operation, a system map and fares, visit www.tecolinestreetcar.org
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