The South Lake Union Streetcar

What's New The first line of Seattle's modern streetcar network is currently under construction. Once built, the Streetcar will connect over 330,000 riders annually to the places they live, work and socialize. To learn more about Streetcar construction please click here.

The Denny Triangle and South Lake Union areas are undergoing a major transformation. In the next fifteen years it is projected that 15,000 to 23,000 new jobs and 8,000 to 10,000 new housing units will be created.

In an effort to support the creation of thousands of new jobs, capture revenue for all of Seattle, and build a great new urban neighborhood, Mayor Nickels developed the South Lake Union Action Plan.

The Mayor's South Lake Union Action Agenda

• Attract biotech and other jobs.
• Encourage development of housing for a range of incomes.
• Create a new waterfront park.
• Build a streetcar.
• Improve the Mercer Corridor.
• Build infrastructure for new jobs and housing.

Building a streetcar that provides good transit service for the Denny Triangle and South Lake Union areas will support efforts to transform the area into a livable, vibrant urban neighborhood where people choose to live, work and socialize.

South Lake Union Streetcar Goals

• Provide local transit service.
• Connect people to jobs, housing, the new waterfront park, and Downtown Retail Core.
• Connect to the regional transit system (light-rail and buses).
• Encourage economic development.
• Help create vibrant, urban neighborhoods.

South Lake Union Streetcar Route & Service

• 1.3 mile route (each way) connects South Lake Union, the new waterfront park, the Denny Triangle and the Downtown Retail Core/Westlake.
• Connections to light rail, regional buses and monorail at Westlake.
• Features modern streetcar vehicles that carry up to 140 passengers, are air-conditioned, and accessible to all.
• 11 stops, every 2-3 blocks. Streetcar Arrival Time system will be installed at stops along the route to inform riders when the next Streetcar will arrive.
• Ridership projected at 330,000 passengers in first year, growing to over one million/year as the area develops.

Click here to see photo simulations of the South Lake Union Streetcar

Costs & Funding

The total budget for design and construction of the South Lake Union Streetcar is $50.5 million. Costs includes a $31 million Maximum Allowable Construction Contract (MACC) and $9 million Streetcar Vehicle Purchase (3 Vehicles), in addition to the costs of planning, engineering, project management and direct material purchases that are borne by the City.

To make the Streetcar a reality, area property owners are contributing $25 million through a Local Improvement District. The balance of funds will come from Federal, State & local Governments. To date the City of Seattle has been able to secure approximately $46 million with more on the way.

Click here to view the March 2006 South Lake Union Streetcar financial update to the Seattle City Council Transportation Committee.

Schedule

• Construction begins in Summer 2006.
• Streetcar operations begin in late 2007.
• Construction Updates will be provided as the project progresses.