The new Valley Metro Tempe streetcar officially opened on May 20, with stops at 14 locations including the Arizona State University-Tempe campus, and two connections to Valley Metro’s light rail line.

According to AZ Family, construction for the Tempe streetcar line began in 2018 and cost about $200 million in public and private funding. The three-mile route goes from Apache Boulevard to Marina Heights. But the project may not have been finished without federal funding.

A $17 million grant created by the American Rescue Plan helped pay for the project. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said the rail line will provide a boost to the economy.

“Great transit systems can help create good jobs and Tempe’s Streetcar will help lift small businesses, support ASU students and create an even more transit-friendly community,” Stanton said on his website. “I’m proud of the work we did to make sure the Streetcar’s construction continued during the pandemic so this economic driver could begin to make Tempe’s economy even stronger.”

The route goes directly to or near destinations such as Sun Devil Stadium, Gammage Auditorium and Tempe City Hall.

“It’s new; it looks nice and neat,” streetcar operator Sami Haddad told AZ Family. “And just to be around the Tempe area, it’s exciting.”

With rides being free for the first year and costing $1 after that, the rail could create more foot traffic within local businesses and will provide a decidedly community oriented enterprise, officials say.

“The streetcar is definitely smaller and a more intimate experience and with fewer passengers," Tempe Mayor Corey Woods told 12 News. "At the same time, there are more frequent stops along the streetcar line. So it’s really more of a local experience.”