Foxx made a stop Friday at the city’s Union Station to talk about the project. It was one of 52 in 37 states to share in about $474 million in federal funding. Foxx says the projects are “the best argument you can make for investment in our transportation infrastructure.”

He was joined by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver and Mayor Sly James.

Plans call for streetcars to start running from Union Station to the River Market area in 2015.

The project has an estimated cost of about $100 million. Supporters hope it will be the first leg of a more extensive public rail system.