Oregon Public Broadcasting

Federal funding has come through to take Portland's westside streetcar line across the Willamette River.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer says the Department of Transportation has approved $45 million that will complete the local funding package.

Blumenauer says the money is part of the regular federal budget for 2009, not the stimulus package passed earlier in the month.

Earl Blumenauer   "This is a very difficult year, and we had to get it under the budget resolution. This is not increased spending above what Congress decided a year ago to set as our benchmark."

Blumenauer says the project merits investment because it keeps cars off the road, but also as a magnet for development.

The plan calls for the street car to cross the Willamette River in two places, creating a loop from Memorial Coliseum to OMSI, and back across to the existing track in the South Waterfront.

Construction will get underway later this year.

Online:

Portland Street Car (click the link for "future planning" to find a map of the new route)