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Seattle Streetcar:Mayor proposes to connect SLU and First Hill lines


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#1 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 05 June 2013 - 07:13 PM

King 5news.com

Why not connect the two lines with buses?
"Rail competes favorably with buses because you can have one operator pulling two or more cars and each car holds a lot more people than a bus," said McGinn.
The city will study two potential paths for the connector.
One choice, is laying tracks along First Avenue, between Jackson Street in Pioneer Square and Westlake.
Another choice is tracks on Fourth and Fifth Avenues, with streetcars running in the same direction as car traffic.



#2 KevinKorell

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Posted 05 June 2013 - 07:21 PM

I thought it would have been more logical to have the First Hill line continue west and eventually replace what was once the George Benson Waterfront Streetcar line.


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#3 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 05 June 2013 - 07:23 PM

CapitolHillSeattle.com

Analysis done by the Seattle Department of Transportation indicated that a streetcar was the best mode of transit for this project. Estimates show that by 2030 transit will need to carry an additional 8,000 people per hour into and within the Center City during the morning peak. This is equivalent to approximately 150 additional buses per hour on downtown streets and would require the equivalent of two new bus-only lanes. Alternatively, if this demand was met using rail vehicles, 20 two-car or 10 four-car trains would be required (assuming 160 passengers per car). Since a train can carry more passengers than a bus, the labor costs for operating trains are lower than for buses. This analysis also took into account future Sound Transit rail operations in the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel.

Although I doubt that they would run 4 car trains on the surface of Downtown Seattle, even if it were with the smaller streetcar vehicles and not the larger LINK Light Rail. One thing First Avenue has going for it, is over the years, most King County Metro routes were shifted to 3rd Ave, so First is a little underserved.

#4 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 05 June 2013 - 07:27 PM

I thought it would have been more logical to have the First Hill line continue west and eventually replace what was once the George Benson Waterfront Streetcar line.

I think I suggested that in the past, myself. Especially as a people mover connecting Colman Dock, with King Street Station, and the International District. Right now, Alaskan Way is a bad choice for a streetcar, most of the tracks are gone, as construction for the Viaduct replacement continues.

#5 KevinKorell

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Posted 05 June 2013 - 08:12 PM

Understood that the Viaduct is a Boston-like project, that is, long term and the burying of a freeway. Once it's complete however, it remains a good place to put a streetcar line, perhaps even better without the freeway viaduct. It would serve the ferry and cruise docks, and run along the back of Pikes Place Market; both would draw tourists and residents alike.


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#6 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 06 June 2013 - 12:27 AM

Understood that the Viaduct is a Boston-like project, that is, long term and the burying of a freeway. Once it's complete however, it remains a good place to put a streetcar line, perhaps even better without the freeway viaduct. It would serve the ferry and cruise docks, and run along the back of Pikes Place Market; both would draw tourists and residents alike.

Good point. Although I would prefer if it was brought back to be longer. With it serving the other cruise terminal at Smith Cove(in Magnolia/Interbay), and on the southern end, a spur down 1st Ave to S Holgate St, in the vicinity of the proposed arena, if another basketball team becomes available.

#7 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 06 June 2013 - 12:30 AM

Railway Age

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn announced plans Monday, June 3, 2013, to connect two separate streetcar lines with a link through the city’s downtown, dubbed the Center City Connector.



#8 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 13 June 2013 - 03:32 AM

The meeting materials from the recent workshop. Their is a proposed extension south into SODO, but will only be further considered if purpose and need change. I guess that is if the arena is built. The Waterfront Line is a separate study.

#9 EvergreenRailfan

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Posted 13 June 2013 - 04:25 AM

Also, on my way to the Colman Ferry Dock last night, for a little trip to Clearwater Casino that I do on my birthday, I noticed something odd about the First Hill Streetcar. Instead of going for a straight turn up 12th to get to Broadway, the tracks go up Jackson to 14th, then turns on Yesler, to 9th. It looks like a roundabout route. I would prefer a straight run, though. Although it could be to serve the Harborview Medical Center cimplex. Trolleybus 3 and 4 are constantly full, so the FHS would provide aome relief.

#10 KevinKorell

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Posted 13 June 2013 - 10:35 AM

I've noticed that jog in their route. But they would not have planned it that way if they didn't think there would be a major passenger generator along the out-of-the-way routing.


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