In the first signs of life for the beleaguered transit project in over a year, Seattle officials found some of the money they need to proceed with the Central City Connector streetcar project.
"On Tuesday, the Seattle City Council’s transportation committee will consider a proposal to continue work on the Center City Connector by authorizing $9 million in engineering work," reports Doug Trumm.
If approved, the new funding could be the first positive movement for the streetcar project since Mayor Jenny Durkan halted work on the project in March 2018 dude to budget concerns. The Central City Connector has been a topic of hot debate in the city ever since.
To support the renewal of the the Central City Connector project, the Seattle Department of Transportation has ridership data in the First Hill Streetcar showing a 31 percent increase, and total streetcar rides in the city reached 1.7 million in 2018.
"The Center City Connector would extend the First Hill Streetcar and link to the South Lake Union Streetcar, making one unified line projected to attract about 20,000 daily riders basically as soon as it opens," explains Trumm. "That’s more than the busiest bus in Seattle."
FULL STORY: As Streetcar Ridership Grows, SDOT Requests $9 Million for Connector Work
A Streetcar Hangs in the Balance in Seattle
A new streetcar extension would complete Seattle's streetcar network in a particularly busy corner of the city's downtown. The mayor doesn’t seem enthused with the idea, even if riders are already enthused with streetcars.
Seattle's First Hill Streetcar 'Soft Opened' on Saturday
The long-delayed First Hill streetcar offered its first trips to the public last weekend in Seattle. Big questions about the operation and effectiveness of the streetcar still remain.
Has Seattle Found the Way Forward for Streetcars?
A planned streetcar line in Seattle will have its own dedicated lane, but perhaps even more interesting is that the existing South Lake Union Streetcar could also get a lane dedicated to transit. Is Seattle's leadership a way forward for streetcars?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)