Councilmember Jan Drago
CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT STREETCAR NETWORK CONCEPT
SEATTLE - Today the Seattle City Council reaffirmed its support for developing an expanded streetcar network. The Council supports a Streetcar Network that links our neighborhoods, provides opportunities for economic development, and creates additional environmentally friendly transit options. Today’s resolution solidifies a network map and streetcar vision, but does not appropriate funding for the project.
On November 4th, 2008, regional voters approved Proposition 1, also known as The Sound Transit 2 Package, which includes $120 million to construct a streetcar line on First Hill. This line will serve as an above-ground connector from the International District to the new Light Rail station on Capitol Hill, improving connectivity between the city’s neighborhoods.
In December 2007 construction on the South Lake Union Streetcar line was completed, and since then the route has carried over 150,000 more passengers than originally expected. The South Lake Union Streetcar, which celebrates its one-year anniversary this week, provides needed citizen connectivity in one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Seattle.
“We have a key opportunity to join the South Lake Union and First Hill lines and create a true streetcar network,” said Seattle City Council Transportation Committee Chair Jan Drago. “We need to keep momentum going and work toward developing a connection between the South Lake Union and First Hill lines so that the system works efficiently and provides more transportation choices for citizens in these neighborhoods.”
“In these economic times, a potential street car network is exactly the type of public works project we should be considering,” states City Councilmember Tim Burgess. “The line creates another efficient, affordable alternative to driving, which will help position the city to accommodate anticipated population growth and manage its transportation needs.”
The adopted Streetcar network map can be viewed at www.seattlestreetcar.org.
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