TAMPA LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
RECEIVES CRUCIAL FEDERAL APPROVAL

TAMPA (FL), April 17, 2003 – The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) has received approval from the Federal Transit Administration to proceed with development of a 20-mile light rail system connecting downtown Tampa with New Tampa, Hyde Park, and the Westshore business district. This is the final step in the federal planning process.

HART Board of Directors Chair Jan Platt said: “This is historic. It opens the door to our future. What’s important about this approval is that it recognizes that we took a practical approach to light rail. That it’s doable.”

When constructed the light rail system will incorporate 26 stations, and nine park-and-ride lots.

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According to Metropolitan Planning Commission Chairman Richard Glorioso, “This lays the groundwork for the future. Urban communities require multiple transportation options, and this shows that the federal government recognizes that this is a good plan.”

The Federal Transit Administration’s approval of the Final Environmental Impact Statement clears the way for HART to seek federal funding to underwrite construction once local funding has been secured.

“This is a very important and exciting decision for this community,” said Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio. “The federal approval means that the City of Tampa can now begin working on making light rail part of our transportation future.”

-HART-