Concrete work begins on planned St. Louis trolley project

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. (AP) - Construction of a 2.2-mile trolley is moving ahead in the St. Louis suburb of University City.

KMOX Radio (http://cbsloc.al/1Hv8vsm) reports crews on Wednesday poured the first concrete around the tracks for the Delmar Loop Trolley that'll eventually lead to Forest Park. Workers on Thursday were to pour another 300 feet of concrete.

Loop developer Joe Edwards says he's "happy beyond belief" the project has advanced to this point, and he considers the latest effort "so exciting."

A $25 million federal grant is helping pay for the $43-million project.

The trolley is to begin operating by the end of next year.