PORTLAND, Ore. - Workers have finished building the first American-made streetcar in nearly 60 years and it was made right here in Oregon.

The new streetcar, built by Oregon Ironworks in Clackamas, will be part of Portland's new streetcar line on the east side of the Willamette River. Construction is scheduled to begin this year.

Portland's streetcars are getting a big boost from the Obama administration and the cities of Boise, Seattle and Tuscon are considering buying streetcars from Oregon Ironworks.

But some are critical, saying streetcars are too expensive and the money could be better spent on building more streets or bike lanes.

The City of Portland spends $3 million a year operating streetcars and is planning to pay about $15 million for five more streetcars that will service the new eastside streetcar line.  It's a money losing venture but planners say urban development makes up for it a hundred times over.

What do you think?  Are the streetcars good for our city or a waste of money and resources?  Leave a comment below to weigh in.