Barrett explores bypassing county on transit plans.

Byline: Larry Sandler

Jul. 18--Frustrated by a continuing deadlock on public transit issues, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is now exploring whether he can bypass Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and set up a city-owned streetcar system with $91.5 million in long-idle federal transportation aid.

The streetcar system might be more extensive than the three-mile downtown loop originally proposed by Barrett, the mayor said Tuesday. It could be operated under a contract with either the non-profit company that runs the Milwaukee County Transit System or the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Transit Authority, which is trying to set up a commuter train line. …