Siemens to build Atlanta streetcars

MARTA has awarded Siemens Industry a $17.2 million contract to build four streetcars, according to the company, for the downtown Atlanta streetcar line scheduled to start service in early 2013.

The city of Atlanta, the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, and the federal government are all funding the $72 million project. The streetcars will be constructed at a Siemens plant in Sacramento, Ca., and will mark Siemens' entry into the U.S. streetcar market, according to the company's statement.