Photos: SunLink Streetcar grand opening
Tucson's Modern Streetcar finally gets its day. Hundreds of people turned out for the celebrations.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Arizona State Senator Steve Farley, far right and other dignitaries cut the first ribbon as part of the ceremony for the first official business day for the Modern Streetcar at the Mercado District in downtown Tucson.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Approximately 100 people came to the Mercado District in downtown Tucson to help celebrate the during first official business day for the Modern Streetcar.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
City of Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild makes a speech during a ceremony for the first official business day for the Modern Streetcar at the Mercado District in downtown Tucson.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Ward 1 Councilwoman Regina Romero makes a speech during a ceremony for the first official business day for the Modern Streetcar at the Mercado District in downtown Tucson.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
A plaque represents the Avenida del Convento and Congress Street streetcar stop dedicated to U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva at the Mercado District in downtown Tucson. Grijalva played an important role in securing federal funds for the construction and building of the modern streetcar.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Cleve Cleveland, operations manager for Sunk Link, makes sure passengers are on board before heading to the second stop on the modern streetcar.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
The modern streetcar stop on North Fourth Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Streets. As part of the official first day of the modern streetcar, the stop was the scene for a short ribbon cutting ceremony.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Donna DiFiore, owner of Delectables Restaurant, makes a speech at the North Fourth Avenue modern streetcar stop as part of a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first official business day of the streetcar.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Residents and business owners gathered at the North Fourth Avenue streetcar stop to watch a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first official business day of the modern streetcar in Tucson, Ariz. The Food Conspiracy Co-op gave out free samples of coffee and coffee cake.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Patrons walk along North Fourth Avenue as the modern streetcar makes a stop as part of a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first official business day.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Vickie Martinez, second from left and her husband, Freddie, wait to take their first ride on the modern streetcar at the Avenida del Convento and Congress Street stop at the Mercado District in downtown Tucson.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Anthony Hinckley, far left and Lori Miller say they are happy to see the modern streetcar in service. The two own Nowhere to Land, Little Shop of Treasures, located at 414 East 7th Street. They opened the business about two years ago during streetcar construction, Hinckley says they took advantage of the location and rent while other businesses suffered. With investment of the streetcar and underground road improvements, Hinckley says the city is making a great investment and setting itself up for success.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
University of Arizona trumpeters Will Willcoxson, left, Adam Velasco and Kaitlin Myers play the streetcar out of the stop at Tyndall and University and on its way to the next in a series of citywide events to celebrate the official opening of the new streetcar system, Friday, July 25, 2014.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Mark Hart, a former Tucson Rapid Transit driver who worked from 1958 to 1978, has to take off his uniform hat to get video and photos of the city's modern streetcar approaching a grand opening event at Helen and Warren, Friday, July 25, 2014.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Wilma Wildcat reacts to some of the remarks from University of Arizona president Ann Weaver Hart at the ceremony on the Helen and Warren stop for the city's new streetcar system, Friday, July 25, 2014.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Mayor Jonathan Rothschild talks to the crowd gathered at the Tyndall and University stop, to celebrate the official opening of the city's new streetcar system, Friday, July 25, 2014.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
One of the city's new streetcars pulls out of the Warren and Helen stop for the next stage on the citywide grand opening tour, Friday, July 25, 2014.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Members of the crowd at the Helen and Warren stop use cameras, tablets and phones to get photos and video of the city's new streetcar loading up with VIP's on its grand opening tour of the city, Friday, July 25, 2014.
Modern Streetcar grand opening
Director Alli Howard uses a hand rail to rise above the crowd and direct the University of Arizona band at the Tyndall and University stop, one of a series of events to celebrate the official opening of the city's new streetcar system, Friday, July 25, 2014.
The closure will affect southbound vehicles only.
Council also approves bus system audit.