Phase 2 of a streetcar proposal, paired with a second plan for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), garnered the approval of Omaha, Neb.'s City Council Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014.
The move follows two years of work by the Central Omaha Transit Alternatives Analysis to evaluate the best transit options to serve this area.
Initial estimates for construction of the streetcar line, to link the city’s downtown and midtown neighborhoods, are about $140 million. Omaha will seek federal funding assistance for the project.
The City Council decision, first reported by local TV station KETV, also identifies “rapid bus transit” (or BRT) route linking downtown and West Omaha, which would be put in place more quickly and at less cost. Federal funds for this part of the plan also will be sought, with one planner suggesting such funding might be identified as early as next week.