It was a monumental day for Cincinnati's controversial streetcar project which is expected to cost more than $110 million, reported ONN's Lot Tan
Supporters said that the investment will spur economic development in the region.
Hundreds of streetcar supporters were on hand for the Friday ground breaking, including David Dawson who is the co-chair of Cincinnatians for Progress. The group helped defeat two anti-rail issues at the polls.
"It's an incredible end to a five year journey. We're looking forward to the next two years to see the streetcar built," Dawson said.
U.S. transportation secretary Ray LaHood was on hand. He was recently in Cincinnati in December to announce nearly $11 million in federal funds for the project.
"It's going to be an economic corridor that creates jobs and connects the community," LaHood said.
Friday's event is the first phase on 3.6 mile loop which will connect the Riverfront to the Over The Rhine neighborhood.
One of Mayor Mark Mallory's harshest critics has been council member Charlie Winburn.
"It's one of the biggest government waste projects in the history of the city, waste over $200-500 million of tax payer money once go all the way to U.C," Winburn said.
Now a big stumbling block for the streetcar involves a fight between the city and Duke Energy. The electric company said that it will not relocate underground power lines that are located along the route unless the city pays more than $18 million to help fund the change.
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