Downtown / Riverfront Streetcar
Overview
StatusProposed
LocaleSacramento / West Sacramento
Termini
Websitewww.riverfrontstreetcar.com/
Service
TypeStreetcar
Operator(s)Sacramento Regional Transit District
Rolling stock2 streetcars
Technical
Line length1.5 mi (2.4 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead
Route map

The Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project[1] is a proposed 1.5-mile (2.4 km) streetcar line intended to connect West Sacramento to Sacramento's downtown business districts and the greater transportation network. The project is being undertaken by a consortium including the City of Sacramento, the City of West Sacramento, the Yolo County Transportation District, and the Sacramento Regional Transit District.

Planning

In 2008 West Sacramento voters passed Measures U and V, a raise in sales tax dedicated to streetcar funding.[2] At the time, the streetcar was envisioned as a 4.4-mile (7.1 km) line running from Midtown to West Sacramento.[3] While distinct from the RT Light Rail system, it would have shared some right-of-way and assets with that system; RT would likely also operate the line.[4] If built, the service was expected to attract 5,800 daily riders.[5]

The project received $50 million from the federal government for construction in May 2017.[6] By June 2017, $200 million in local, state, and federal grants had been secured to build the streetcar line. A special district that includes businesses close to the streetcar agreed to a tax to offset operating costs; it was expected to generate $50 million over 25 years.[7]

Plans stalled in 2019 as construction bids came in significantly higher than expected, with the lowest bid at $184 million, or $76 million higher than anticipated.[8] The Sacramento City Council dissolved its special-use district dedicated to streetcar maintenance in August 2019.[2]

After failure of the initial plan, the line was retooled into a shorter 1.5-mile (2.4 km) route running from Sacramento Valley Station to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento via Tower Bridge with one additional stop.[3] As of 2020 the plan requires updating environmental documents,[1] additional funding from host cities, and FTA approval.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "STAFF REPORT" (PDF). SacRT. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  2. 1 2 Hamann, Emily (14 August 2019). "Streetcar backers searching for alternative projects, uses for funds". Sacramento Business Journal. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
  3. 1 2 Rhee, Foon (17 September 2020). "Streetcar to nowhere?". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  4. ↑ Bizjak, Tony (26 April 2016). "Sacramento streetcar proponents are back with pricier plan". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  5. ↑ Environmental Assessment/Initial Study and Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project (PDF) (Report). Sacramento Area Council of Governments. May 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  6. ↑ Khalil, Joe (2 May 2017). "Sacramento Streetcar Project Gets $50 Million in Federal Funding". KTXL. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  7. ↑ Lillis and Bizjak (21 June 2017). "A streetcar tax just passed in Sacramento". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  8. ↑ Bizjak, Tony (14 January 2019). "Sacramento streetcar project in serious jeopardy as price tag soars". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  9. ↑ Clift, Theresa (15 September 2020). "New light rail line over Tower Bridge between Sacramento, West Sacramento moves forward". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
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