Federal agency approves
San Francisco Central Subway project

By Brent Begin, Bay City News Service

February 9, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) - The Federal Transit Administration has approved a preliminary engineering plan for the San Francisco Municipal Railway's Central Subway project.

A medium rating for the proposal, which would extend Muni to Chinatown, allows the Municipal Transportation authority the opportunity to lobby for funds in the 2008 national budget.

Muni is only one of 15 projects nationwide approved for the funding. Ratings are based on project justification and local financial commitment.

"We are pleased the U.S. Department of Transportation acknowledges the importance of this project, which will provide the backbone for expanded rail transit services in San Francisco," MTA Executive Director Nathaniel Ford said.

The central Subway would extend light rail service in a subway tunnel under the South of Market, Union Square and Chinatown neighborhoods, according to the MTA.

The project has already received $45 million in federal funding to date, and it is expected to open in 2016, the MTA reported.

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