tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3664406919021663291.post-83664540919477411422008-03-26T17:09:00.000-04:002008-03-26T17:09:00.000-04:00I actually did some study last year on the federal funding structure for rail initiatives both in the current administration and in the Clinton admin that preceeded it. Federal funding, including ISTEA projects, have historically gone to 1) transportation architecture (trains stations, etc.) 2) fund studies for BRT 3) rail transit only when there is a significant investment from the local government.<BR/><BR/>If federal money will be spent on streetcars, we will be competing with about 30 other cities for a first phase. We are much more likely, if we build the first phase ourselves, to receive that federal money for subsequent additions to both the streetcar line, and possibly the addition of LRT.<BR/><BR/>Again, just my opinion, but waiting puts us in the same boat as many other areas, and I have no faith in our federal reps to bring that pork home.Sean F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00381588569671305254noreply@blogger.com