August 16 – August 23, 2018 COMMUNITY STREETCAR COALITION NEWS CLIPS
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BROADCAST CLIPS
Oklahoma City KWTV August 23, 2018 LINK: https://bit.ly/2w9bzfn
Oklahoma City leaders are pushing hard for drivers to share the road with the city’s new streetcar system. News 9’s Chris Gilmore says parking is also part of the problem. It’s definitely a work in progress out here. I want to show you the white lines running right alongside the streetcar tracks throughout Midtown and Downtown Oklahoma City; it’s to encourage drivers and visitors to park inside these boundaries, that’s the big message city leaders want everyone to know this morning. They’re also putting up these white signs to bring the point further home to park inside the white lines. Now this whole testing process for the streetcar system has been going on for months now, you may have noticed as you’ve been driving through the area. It’s to prepare the system to be fully operational later this year. Drivers have had a hard time parking in the right areas to avoid the streetcar during that time. The system itself consists of two loops; one running from Myriad Gardens to Bricktown and the other from Scissortail Park to Midtown. Some drivers have ignored those tests driving on tracks, still, the city wants to make sure people downtown can learn to share the road with the streetcars before they start running daily. And even though there are no formal infractions or ordinances in place governing traffic or parking around the streetcars, city leaders and police are currently putting their heads together to come up with an ordinance proposal that will have to go before the city council before it’s approved.
Phoenix KSAZ August 22, 2018 LINK: https://bit.ly/2MLB8MJ
Change is coming to Tempe. Valley Metro and the City of Tempe giving out details tonight on the Tempe streetcar project. Officials will unveil the final design for it, landscaping and public art elements will also be unveiled. The three-mile stretch will have 14 stops, with four cars running at a time, each holding about 125 people. Tonight’s meeting is happening from 6-8pm at the Tempe Transportation Center.
El Paso KTSM August 22, 2018 LINK: https://bit.ly/2Lo98ud
Streetcar testing is ongoing in Central El Paso, and safety is a top concern following the first crash involving a city streetcar. As we reported, a suspected drunk driver crashed into a streetcar early Tuesday morning while it was on a test run. Officers arrested the driver for DWI, but the buses are back on the rails for more training. And today is the second streetcar safety community meeting. During the first meeting last night, city officials offered several safety tips; they include removing your headphones near the streetcar route, that allows you to hear the warning bells that one of the cars is approaching. Also be aware of where you park; if you are blocking a track, you will be towed. Sun Metro leaders say the new routes will impact everyone. “We want everyone to get used to it. We want our drivers to get used to it, we want pedestrians to get used to it, bikers to get used to it, and so the more they see it, with one car out there, two cars out there, soon we’ll have four or five cars out there. So it’s a learning process.”
2 PRINT COVERAGE Tempe Streetcar project receives federal clearance to enter construction
RT&S By Mischa Wanek-Libman August 23, 2018
Valley Metro received a Letter of No Prejudice on the Tempe Streetcar project from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The letter means the rail project is cleared to proceed to the next phase of construction.
Preliminary construction and underground utility work is currently underway. Valley Metro expects construction will shift into high gear this fall with the building of the system’s rail trackway, power systems and street improvements.
The rail project construction, estimated to cost $176.6 million, will proceed pending approval of a requested grant from the FTA Small Starts program. Valley Metro says it hopes to enter into a funding agreement with FTA in early 2019.
“This milestone would not have been possible without the support of our federal delegation and officials at FTA, for which we are grateful. With this approval, we can now move forward to keep this project on budget and on schedule,” said Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell. “Many, including advocates in the local business community, have been working tirelessly to see this project come to fruition for the betterment of our community’s quality of life and economic sustainability.”
LINK: https://www.rtands.com/regulatory/tempe-streetcar-project-receives-federal-clearance-to- enter-construction/
3 Officials Urging Proper Parking Protocol Near Downtown Street Cars
KWTV By Chris Gilmore August 23, 2018
Oklahoma City leaders are pushing hard for drivers to share the road with the city's new streetcar system.
There are white boundary lanes running alongside the new streetcar system downtown. Drivers are asked to park inside the boundaries of that line to give the streetcars space to maneuver comfortably.
Test runs have been going on for months to prepare to be fully operational later this year. Drivers have had a hard time parking in the right areas to avoid the streetcars.
The system consists of 2 loops: one running from Myriad Gardens to Bricktown and the other running from Scissortail Park to Midtown.
Some drivers have ignored those tests, driving on the tracks. The city wants to make sure people downtown can learn to share the road with the streetcars before they start running daily.
City Hall staff and police are working on traffic and parking ordinance proposals tied to streetcars.
LINK: http://www.news9.com/story/38947573/officials-urging-proper-parking-protocol-near- downtown-street-cars
4 First Crew of the Milwaukee Streetcar Takes Full-Route Daylight Test Drive [PHOTOS]
Milwaukee Independent No author listed August 23, 2018
The Milwaukee Streetcar training class and support staff took Vehicle #03 for a 2.1 mile run from the Intermodal Terminal to Burns Commons on August 22, making it the first daylight end-to-end route test.
The 83,000 pound vehicle was expected to test between 31 and 42 miles along the route, with higher through less traffic-dense straightaways, like East Ogden Avenue. Including the weight of the training crew, stacks of bottled water bundles created 20,000 pounds of ballast to simulate a capacity ride load. The streetcar fleet must log more than 620 miles of testing before it can begin passenger service, which is expected to be completed in time for a November launch. These images document the streetcar’s testing at the Burns Commons Station.
LINK: http://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/featured/first-crew-milwaukee-streetcar-takes- full-route-daylight-test-drive/
5 Can We Expect More Traffic Accidents With The Streetcar
KLAQ By Veronica Gonzalez August 22, 2018
Just recently they were testing the new Streetcar and already was involved in an accident. The accident happened in Central El Paso after 2:30 am on East Rio Grande Avenue and North Stanton street.
This accident happened around the time most nightlife partiers are heading home. But will the Streetcar that is coming soon cause more traffic accidents? Granted, this latest accident that happened in Central was not the Streetcars fault. Things will change on the roads once the Streetcar starts rolling around town for good. NewsChannel 9 was first to report about the traffic accident involving the Streetcar which you will see above. I am very excited to see something from our past be brought back but worry that it can affect other drivers. Now if you pay attention to the road instead of using your phone while driving then the Streetcars shouldn't be a problem. But you're not only sharing the road with bicyclists, now you're sharing the road with the Streetcars soon!
Give us your opinion on whether or not the Streetcar will be the cause of traffic accidents in the poll below!
LINK: http://klaq.com/can-we-expect-more-traffic-accidents-with-the-streetcar/
6 MARTA board to vote on spending $2.5B for transit expansion in October
Curbed Atlanta By Sean Keenan August 22, 2018
October 4 is shaping up to be a consequential day for Atlanta.
On that date, MARTA’s board of directors is expected to vote on a plan to expand the city’s transit network by way of roughly $2.5 billion in tax funds, to be spent over the next four decades.
Exactly how they elect to divvy up that cash, however, is subject to a debate over which parts of Atlanta need mass transit most.
Decisions made this year could help shape Atlanta for generations to come. It’s a big deal. Here’s a primer:
The current project list proposed by MARTA officials includes plans to snake 21 miles of light rail through the city and expand the bus network.
But the most controversial aspect of the transit agency’s current priorities involves the placement of such rail lines.
Roughly four of those 21 miles of streetcar lines are slated to connect MARTA’s Lindbergh Station to Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s called the Clifton Corridor.
Just about everyone agrees the Clifton Corridor is an important project that will pay dividends aplenty. But some worry that funding it could mean shortchanging other necessary additions to Atlanta’s transit system.
Advocates with Beltline Rail Now!, led by Beltline visionary Ryan Gravel and ex-Atlanta City Council President Cathy Woolard, have been fighting to ensure the multi-use trail network has a full 22 miles of light rail alongside its main loop.
But, according to the plans MARTA’s mapped out, only seven miles of light rail lines would be funded by the More MARTA tax funds.
On Twitter especially, Gravel has been using colorful analogies to get his points across.
Activists say the Clifton Corridor, which would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and bring MARTA through land that isn’t even part of Atlanta, shouldn’t take priority over Beltline transit, which was a main selling point when Gravel initially pitched the idea to reinvent the old railroad corridors.
So what can regular Atlantans do right now?
7 MARTA is currently welcoming community input to help officials decide how to spend its tax cash. Its online survey is open until August 31, and more than 1,700 people have responded thus far, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
To put that in perspective, however, more than 4,800 people have signed Beltline Rail Now!’s petition demanding a complete loop of light rail along the Beltline.
Now, activists like Ryan Gravel hope MARTA will actually heed the input Atlantans are giving.
LINK: https://atlanta.curbed.com/2018/8/22/17768142/beltline-marta-board-vote-transit- expansion-october
8 El Pasoans say it’s important to have safety rules for streetcar rides
KFOX By Ryan Hill August 21, 2018
People in El Paso are ready for the testing process for the streetcar to end so they can ride the trolley.
But, not everyone is familiar with how to share the road with it.
“I’m disabled so, I have to be aware of my surroundings at all times,” Sheldon Jones, South El Paso, said.
“I think people have forgotten how to drive period. Trolleys or no trolleys,” Juli Best, South El Paso, said.
“You don’t live in a city where you got that kind of type of transportation well, you don’t know how to drive around it,” Christian Vargas, South El Paso, said.
So, the city of El Paso and Sun Metro are trying educate El Pasoans in the proper safety rules at three community meetings.
It will be teaching drivers, cyclists and pedestrians tips on how to avoid any accidents with the streetcar.
“When you’re coming up on it you can pass the car if you want to, don’t cut it off,” Jay Banasiak, director of Sun Metro, said. “Don’t make a right hand turn in front of it. Stay on the car and make a right hand turn if you want to go.”
But, there was already an crash involving a streetcar.
Some feel these community meetings will help avoid future accidents.
“Whatever I can learn about the trolley, what’s happening with it, how safe we’re going to be and what’s going to happen if you’re not safe,” Best said.
“Because it is a train and it will still kill you,” Vargas said.
But, adapting to the new driving landscape is another thing.
"It's something that people have to get used to,” Banasiak said. “Once they do, it'll just be a normal thing."
“I’m optimistic. I think it’ll take three months,” Vargas said.
Some people tell me they are concerned about how close the bike lanes are to the streetcar. They feel that they shouldn’t be right next to the trolley tracks.
LINK: https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-pasoans-say-its-important-to-have-safety-rules-for- streetcar-rides 9 Sun Metro kicks off streetcar safety meetings today
KFOX By Ashley Byers and Alexandria Rodriguez August 21, 2018
Sun Metro is making sure everyone is safe during the streetcar testing going on in downtown El Paso.
Sun Metro wants to raise awareness on the safety precautions that drivers, cyclists and pedestrian drivers need to take near the 4.8 mile streetcar route.
The route runs in two loops known as Downtown and Uptown.
The Downtown Loop includes Santa Fe Street, Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street and Father Rahm Avenue.
The Uptown Loop includes Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Glory Road, Baltimore Drive and Oregon Street.
Carl Jackson, assistant director of streetcar operations, said the top priority is to remind people to keep their distance from the streetcars while they are in operation. "Probably the biggest consideration is that the streetcar will be stopping at a green signal. It has to wait until it gets its own private signal to move through the intersection and change lanes," said Jackson.
The streetcars could be on the road as soon as November. "We are looking to have passengers on the street cars in November that should coincide sometime right around the holiday season... sort of our little gift to the city," said Jackson.
Sun Metro will be hosting three community meetings through this week:
Tuesday, August 21, La Fe Culture and Technology Center, 721 S. Ochoa St. @ 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 22, El Paso Main Library, 501 N. Oregon St. @ 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 23, Cathedral High School Auditorium, 1309 N. Stanton St. @ 6:00 p.m.
LINK: https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/sun-metro-holding-safety-meetings-for-streetcar- awareness
10 El Paso Streetcar damaged on roadway by suspected DWI driver, police say
CBS4 By Rebecca Rendon August 21, 2018
Crews were testing out El Paso's first streetcars on the roadways just before a crew vehicle was involved in a wreck Tuesday morning.
A suspected drunken driver identified as 24-year-old Hector Emiliano Parra Robles crashed into a Sun Metro SUV that was escorting El Paso Streetcar No. 1506., according to El Paso police.
Sun Metro officials clarified around noon Tuesday that one of its SUVs was heading northbound on Stanton when it was rear-ended by Parra Robles who was driving a 2003 Infiniti G35.
The impact of the crash then caused the SUV to rear-end the streetcar, said the city's transportation officials.
The trolley and Sun Metro SUV were stopped at a red-light when the crash occurred, said El Paso police.
The wreck happened around 2:30 a.m. on the 900 block of N. Stanton Street near Rio Grande Avenue.
The driver of the Sun Metro SUV and the two streetcar operators were taken to the hospital. They have been released.
Parra Robles was arrested for DWI and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $1,000 bond.
LINK: https://cbs4local.com/news/local/minor-injuries-reported-after-crash-involving-streetcar
11 El Paso Streetcar involved in three-vehicle accident
KTSM No author listed August 21, 2018
One of the El Paso Streetcars was involved in a three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning.
A car rear-ended a Sun Metro SUV which pushed it into the Streetcar at about 2:30 a.m. at E. Rio Grande Avenue and N. Stanton Street, police said.
The driver was given a sobriety test and eventually taken into custody. No information on if he was charged at this time.
Three Sun Metro workers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, Sun Metro officials said at Tuesday's City Council meeting.
The Streetcar has minor damage.
KTSM was the only station at the scene.
El Paso Streetcar shared a photo on Facebook showing the damage to Streetcar No. 1506. You can see it below
LINK: https://www.ktsm.com/news/local/el-paso-news/el-paso-streetcar-involved-in-three- vehicle-accident/1385070813
12 Suspected DWI driver crashed into El Paso Streetcar crew
KFOX By Rebecca Rendon August 21, 2018
Crews were testing out El Paso's first streetcars on the roadways just before a crew vehicle was involved in a wreck Tuesday morning.
A suspected drunken driver identified as 24-year-old Hector Emiliano Parra Robles crashed into a Sun Metro SUV that was escorting El Paso Streetcar No. 1506., according to El Paso police.
Sun Metro officials clarified around noon Tuesday that one of its SUVs was heading northbound on Stanton when it was rear-ended by Parra Robles who was driving a 2003 Infiniti G35.
The impact of the crash then caused the SUV to rear-end the streetcar, said the city's transportation officials.
The trolley and Sun Metro SUV were stopped at a red-light when the crash occurred, said El Paso police.
The wreck happened around 2:30 a.m. on the 900 block of N. Stanton Street near Rio Grande Avenue.
The driver of the Sun Metro SUV and the two streetcar operators were taken to the hospital. They have been released.
Parra Robles was arrested for DWI and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $1,000 bond.
LINK: https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-paso-police-investigate-crash-involving-a-streetcar
13 Driver who crashed into trolley arrested for DWI
KVIA By Stephanie Valle August 21, 2018
El Paso Police officials confirmed that the driver who crashed into a streetcar early Tuesday morning was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
Police arrested 24-year-old Hector Emiliano Parra Robles and charged him with DWI.
The crash happened around 2:30 a.m. at East Rio Grande Avenue and North Stanton Street.
El Paso Police Department officials said Parra Robles crashed the Infiniti G35 into the rear of a Sun Metro SUV, pushing the vehicle into the streetcar right in front of it. Parra Robles was booked into the County Jail on a $1,000 bond.
Sun Metro has been testing the streetcars overnight ahead of their debut downtown in the fall. The bus service is also hosting several public meetings regarding safety protocols around the streetcars, with the first one being held Tuesday evening.
LINK: https://www.kvia.com/news/el-paso/eppd-driver-who-crashed-into-trolley-arrested-for- dwi/784181968
14 Streetcars & Safety: Do you really know how to ride around them?
KVIA By Christina Aguayo August 21, 2018
Earlier this month, The El Paso Streetcar Project started training its drivers, and testing its cars downtown in hopes of getting them up and running by November.
Tuesday, that process came to a halt after a suspected drunk driver crashed into a streetcar escort vehicle which then hit the trolley, damaging the brand new unit.
El Paso police said the trolley and the SUV escorting it were stopped at a red light at Stanton St. and Rio Grande Ave. That's when 24 –year-old Hector Emiliano Parra Robles rear- ended the SUV and pushed it into the streetcar. Parra Robles was charged with DWI and booked into El Paso County Detention Facility under a $1,000 bond.
A City spokeswoman said the damage sustained by the trolley was minor. The crash came as a shock to Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak. Banasiak told ABC 7 "To have your first accident, its like oh my goodness what happened? But for one thing luckily no one got hurt."
Jay told ABC 7 that the damage was minimal, and something that can be easily repaired. He said Streetcar 1506, which was the one that was damaged, was back on the road testing right away.
Banasiak said that safety is very important, "People that are pedestrians, people on bikes, motorists, there the ones that really need to be used to it (the streetcars) because it's a brand new form of transportation out there," Banasiak said.
Public transit representatives urge people to look both ways and listen for the streetcar before stepping into the street, only cross when the "Walk" signal is on, and never try to beat a moving streetcar. If you are driving a vehicle, pass the streetcars with caution, never block the tracks and never cut in front of a moving car.
For drivers wanting to make a right-hand turn, Sun Metro recommends getting behind the streetcar, never turning right in front of one.
There are two more community meetings scheduled to raise awareness about streetcar safety.
Wednesday, August 22 at 5:30 p.m. El Paso Main Library (501 N Oregon Street)
Thursday, August 23 at 6:00 p.m. Cathedral High School Auditorium (1309 N Stanton Street)
The El Paso streetcar project is in its testing and training phase. To ensure the system can operate safely for the public, Sun Metro encourages the public to obey traffic laws and cross safely at designated locations when driving, cycling or walking near the 4.8 mile streetcar route.
Other tips for pedestrians from Sun Metro:
15 Streetcars run on electricity and are extremely quiet when approaching a station. Remove headphones or reduce volume so you can hear streetcar warning bells and horns. Streetcars will provide warning sounds before coming to a stop.
Never try to beat a moving streetcar by walking or running in front of it while it’s in motion. Streetcars cannot make sudden stops.
Tips for motorists from Sun Metro:
• Pass the streetcar with caution. Never block the tracks while parking or changing lanes.
• Park only at designated spaces along the streetcar route. Never block the tracks. Cars will be towed. • Pay attention to new signs, striping & signals all along the streetcar route. Cyclists
• Avoid riding near streetcar tracks when possible. Track grooves are slightly wider than the typical bike tire, so it’s easy for tires to become caught between the rails. Always cross rails at a 90 degree angle.
• Tracks can be slippery, especially when wet. Try to avoid any wet areas along the route when crossing the tracks.
• Stanton Street (between Baltimore & Rio Grande) is now a 2-way bike way. All cyclist can ride north and south on the same side of the street. • Never grab the back of a streetcar to be pulled along on your bike.
The route for the Streetcars runs in two loops known as Downtown and Uptown. The Downtown Loop includes Santa Fe Street, Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street and Father Rahm Avenue. The Uptown Loop includes Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Glory Road, Baltimore Drive and Oregon Street.
Banasiak saying that streetcar safety is very important so that way the community can enjoy the streetcars, and utilize them properly. He say's El Paso is doing something special with the streetcars, "Nobody else in the country is doing it, everybody is getting modern streetcars as they call it, we're the only city right now that is getting the old street cars back on the street again," Banasiak said.
LINK: https://www.kvia.com/news/top-stories/sun-metro-holds-meetings-on-how-to-stay-safe- around-streetcars/784407844
16 Streetcar 1506 slightly damaged in early morning accident [Photos]
El Paso Times No author listed August 21, 2018
El Paso Streetcar No. 1506 was on the tracks for most of the day Monday during training, which will continue for a couple months before the streetcars go into operation later this year. Tuesday morning, it was involved in a crash that sent three people to the hospital with minor injuries and minimal damage to the streetcar. It was back on the tracks Tuesday to continue driver training.
LINK: https://www.elpasotimes.com/picture- gallery/news/local/community/2018/08/21/streetcar-1506-slightly-damaged-in-early-morning- accident/37558979/
17 The Blue Line light rail and streetcar are shutting down for two days, CATS says
The Charlotte Observer By Ely Portillo August 21, 2018
If you’re looking to use the Blue Line or the streetcar this weekend, make other plans: The Charlotte Area Transit System said it will shut both services down completely on Saturday and Sunday.
The transit agency will be performing extensive maintenance, CATS officials said. The rail lines will resume service Monday on their normal schedule.
“Regular maintenance is essential to preserving our transit system,” said CATS CEO John Lewis, in a statement. “CATS’ goal is to perform all necessary repairs and upkeep at once. This will ultimately extend the life of our system and minimize disruptions to riders.”
Buses with “LYNX Connector” displayed will operate between each stop on the Blue Line’s nearly 20-mile route, replacing rail service with bus service for the weekend. Riders can purchase tickets for those buses from machines at the Blue Line stations.
Maintenance to be performed includes adding ballast, painting, landscaping, track and signal work, tree trimming and work on crossings.
LINK: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article217071935.html
18 UMKC becomes fist US university with smart kiosks on campus
KSHB By Charlie Keegan and McKenzie Nelson August 21, 2018
Students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City got a whole lot smarter overnight. The university unveiled newly installed smart kiosks, called CityPosts, Tuesday. UMKC said it’s the first university in the country to have this kind of digital technology on campus.
The CityPosts act like digital bulletin boards. The seven-feet tall kiosks look and react like huge smartphones. Students touch the screens to learn about events and activities on and off campus.
The company behind CityPost, Smart City Media, said it hopes the kiosks help students connect with the city. UMKC Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer predicted the kiosks would serve as hubs for students to make human connections.
“Rather than hunching over separate mobile phones, students and visitors can explore campus and Kansas City together,” she said.
Sophomore student Daphne Posadas said she’s already used the kiosks. As a native Spanish speaker, she’s grateful the kiosks encourage diversity by translating text into nine different languages.
“Students, me included, do not like to ask for help,” she admitted. “These kiosks take away that fear factor, the intimidation of asking for help. They are easy and fun to use and a quick way of doing things.”
Freshman student John Stegall said he's never used one of the kiosks. After trying it out for the first time Tuesday, he said the CityPosts are simple and easy to use.
"I think it's basically just sort of the same format as a smartphone. I think if anybody can use a smartphone, they can probably use this," said Stegall.
The CityPosts mirror the kiosks along the KC Streetcar route. Each streetcar stop has a kiosk connecting riders and visitors with all things Kansas City. As a result, publications have called the blocks surrounding the streetcar line the most intelligent blocks in the United States.
UMKC has seven kiosks on its main campus, and one on its Health Sciences campus near Hospital Hill. A university spokesperson said no public dollars or money from tuition went to the kiosk program.
Smart City Media plans to install 12 more kiosks at KCI next month. Along Prospect Avenue, 62 kiosks will also be installed at each bus shelter. The city has contracted 114 kiosks to place throughout town.
LINK: https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/umkc-becomes-first-us-university-with-smart- kiosks-on-campus
19 Details Released About Kansas City Streetcar Expansion
U.S. News No author listed August 21, 2018
Officials have released plans for extending the Kansas City streetcar southward to the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Volker Campus.
KSHB-TV reports that the KC Streetcar project team announced Monday that it will advance plans to have the streetcar operate on city streets with traffic rather than in the middle of the road. The so-called outside running line configuration is how the current stretch of track that spans 10 stops from Union Station to the River Market neighborhood operates. The $227 million expansion that voters approved in June will add eight more stops.
Construction is expected to begin in 2020. The expansion won't be completed until 2023.
LINK: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/missouri/articles/2018-08-21/details-released- about-kansas-city-streetcar-expansion
20 Feds give green light to next phase in Tempe Streetcar project
KTAR No author listed August 21, 2018
A Phoenix-area company received approval from the federal government to enter a new phase of construction on a streetcar project, it was announced Tuesday.
Valley Metro said in a press release that it was given the go-ahead from the Federal Transit Administration to begin the first phase of “significant construction” on the Tempe Streetcar.
The approval will allow the company to start building the system’s rail track, power systems and street improvements this fall.
“This milestone would not have been possible without the support of our federal delegation and officials at FTA, for which we are grateful,” Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell said in a press release.
“With this approval, we can now move forward to keep this project on budget and on schedule,” he added.
“Many, including advocates in the local business community, have been working tirelessly to see this project come to fruition for the betterment of our community’s quality of life and economic sustainability.”
Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith said in a statement that the company looks forward to working with the government to receive the final grant agreement in the next few months.
Work on preliminary construction and underground utility work for the 3-mile, 14-station streetcar system is already underway, but construction will shift into “high gear” this fall.
Valley Metro was aiming to enter into a funding agreement for the streetcar project by early 2019. It is scheduled to open in 2021.
The streetcar, according to Valley Metro, will run partially along Apache Boulevard, Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. It will also have two connections to the Valley Metro light rail.
It will “serve one of the highest transit ridership centers in the region, according to the Valley Metro website, “connect[ing] riders to neighborhoods, major business centers, and regional events and destinations.”
According to the company, it will also serve as the Valley’s first modern streetcar line.
LINK: http://ktar.com/story/2186151/feds-give-green-light-to-next-phase-in-tempe-streetcar- project/
21 Federal agency OKs next construction phase for Tempe Streetcar
Phoenix Business Journal By Corina Vanek August 21, 2018
The Federal Transit Administration gave the nod of approval for the first phase of significant construction to begin on the Tempe Streetcar this fall.
With the approval, Valley Metro can start work on the rail trackway, power systems and street improvements for the streetcar, which is scheduled to open in 2021. Preliminary construction and underground utility improvements have been underway since 2017.
The FTA issued a letter of no prejudice to allow for the continued phase of construction, and Valley Metro is aiming to secure a funding agreement with the federal government next year.
Once completed, the streetcar will span three miles in Tempe, along Rio Salado Parkway, down Mill Avenue and along Apache Boulevard around Arizona State University. In total, the budget for the project is nearly $200 million, with $28 million already spent, according to Valley Metro.
“This milestone would not have been possible without the support of our federal delegation and officials at FTA, for which we are grateful. With this approval, we can now move forward to keep this project on budget and on schedule,” Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell said in a statement. “Many, including advocates in the local business community, have been working tirelessly to see this project come to fruition for the betterment of our community’s quality of life and economic sustainability.”
Funding for the project is coming from federal, regional and local sources, including $13 million in contributions from property owners along the streetcar route, Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith said.
LINK: https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2018/08/21/federal-agency-oks-construction- tempe-streetcar.html
22 L.A. City Approves Downtown Streetcar Funding Plan, Pushes to Accelerate Metro Funds
Streetsblog LA By Dana Gabbard August 21, 2018
Last week the city of Los Angeles approved a funding plan for the planned Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar project. Though the project has a lot of support downtown, it will need some heavy lifting to accelerate Metro funds that would not otherwise kick in until decades from now.
Out of curiosity at what kind of turnout it would draw I attended the August 2nd public hearing on the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar Project. The title of the post I wrote about the hearing, “If Last Week’s Hearing Was Any Indication, Enthusiasm Is Low for Downtown Streetcar,” sums up what I observed. Quite frankly I thought after the hearing that the only thing to occur in the near term regarding the project would be the August 21 closure of public comment on the EA. Submit comments today.
But to my surprise, KNBC posted on its website that the project’s Funding Plan was on the agenda of a Los Angeles City Council Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee meeting on August 14. I felt honor bound to attend and see if it offered any signs of active support versus what I saw at the first meeting, which was essentially none.
When I arrived early at the hallway outside the council chambers where the committee was to meet, I found a healthy number of people waiting. However, I quickly discovered almost all of them were there not for the streetcar but instead to oppose several developments also on the agenda.
It has been a while since I attended a committee meeting. They have entered the 21st century, and you now sign up to make public comment via an electronic kiosk. The start time was supposed to be 2:30 p.m. but Chair José Huizar did not call the meeting to order until 2:47 p.m. I was gratified to note that all five council members on the Committee had shown up: alongside Huizar, that includes Curren Price, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Mitch Englander, and Bob Blumenfield. (Meeting audio is posted on the city website – the streetcar discussion is between 10:00 and 28:30).
A few other items were heard before they took up the streetcar Funding Plan.
Actually a comment on the project was heard in advance of the item. Alfredo Madrid of the Downtown Weekly came to the podium and confessed to still familiarizing himself with the project. He referenced the historic Red Cars, asked if this is intended over time to bring back something like that. Later we spoke and he peppered me with questions but, after showing a desire to contact me later with any other questions he never did so, and since his article was posted on August 15. I guess he decided he didn’t have any more questions.
First there was a brief report on the project by Ida Rubio, Senior Administrative Analyst with the Office of the City Administrative Officer (CAO.)
23 The streetcar actions agendized before the committee were threefold:
Approve the funding plan for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar project for construction costs under a Construction Manager/General Contractor or alternative project delivery method.
Authorize the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) to submit a federal Small Starts grant application by the September 7 deadline.
Instruct the LADOT to submit a proposal to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board within sixty days for accelerated funding of up to $200 million under Measure M.
Sixty seconds was alloted to each speaker. First up was Shane Phillips, Director of Public Policy for the Central City Association (CCA) and former Project Director for Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc. (LASI). The CCA supports the project, he said, and encourages the city to go forward with it. Downtown growth will be hobbled if gridlock prevails, he pointed out, and the streetcar is needed as part of a comprehensive livable communities approach (along with bike-share, more welcoming sidewalks, affordable housing, and less parking). It would also provide downtown access to the regional transit network, address first/last mile challenges, and fill a service gap.
The second speaker was me. I briefly noted my affiliations with the Rail Users’ Network, Southern California Transit Advocates and Streetsblog L.A. Then I mentioned the poor turnout at the recent hearing, which motivated my attendance. With no particular feelings for or against the project, I do have concerns about its high costs and the projected lackluster ridership. I observed that the chief reason given for streetcars in other areas is to motivate development and, given that downtown is already enjoying a building boom, I had to wonder whether the streetcar is still justifiable on that basis.
The third speaker was Steve Needleman, a property owner on Broadway and chair of LASI. The property owners along Broadway support the project, he said, and have proven it via the funds being generated by the Community Facilities District taxes that they approved in 2012. The project is shovel-ready, he said, and he urged it go forward and for the city to make the effort to secure additional funding.
The fourth speaker was Shiraz Tangri, General Counsel of LASI. In his remarks he noted downtown has undergone growth, which will continue, that this is the first new transit system during this growth period dedicated to improving circulation through downtown, and that it is urgently needed to get cars off the road.
The fifth speaker was Nick Griffin, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Downtown Center Business Improvement District. He also spoke of the downtown boom, emphasizing that the streetcar would enhance it as well as offer opportunities for economic development and marketing, particularly in the Broadway core.
The sixth speaker was Hilary Norton, Executive Director of Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic and FASTLinkDTLA. She spoke of the role of the streetcar in addressing anticipated growth, saying that it would reduce traffic, improve mobility, and be an accessible option for those using wheelchairs, strollers, and those needing easier assistance boarding vehicles. Norton also stated that streetcars in Seattle and Portland were not just a catalyst for development, but 24 they got people away from single-occupancy vehicles, facilitated tourism, and aided families with young children who want to move around differently and travel together. It was time for the project to move forward, she concluded.
The seventh and final speaker was Wallis Locke, Director of Communications & Policy at the South Park Business Improvement District. Locke noted that widespread support for the project has been shown at meetings and by the passage of the Community Facilities District tax. Furthermore, she stated, it will enhance mobility and is shovel-ready, which will allow quick construction. Locke stressed that the fiscal impact is minimal, with no city general fund money going to the project. She also stated that it supports downtown investment, is in line with street enhancements like MyFigueroa, and provides more options as downtown grows.
Chair Huizar thanked the CAO for its report and expressed appreciation for the supportive speakers. He described the long process the project has undergone, stressing that it is widely supported both in downtown and other parts of the region. Huizar called the streetcar a “great transportation system” to address anticipated growth in the downtown residential population, plus a burgeoning influx of tourists and visitors and the proliferation of destinations that will draw crowds. Huizar stated that the streetcar is a needed first/last mile option, especially to connect with the Regional Connector, and that, like in Portland and Seattle, it will be an economic development driver.
In response to my comments that downtown already has plenty of development, he claimed the Broadway corridor (between 1st and 11th Streets) still needs stimulus and incentives. He further stated such developments as the ACE Hotel and the soon-to-open Apple store anticipated the streetcar – without it those developments wouldn’t have happened, he said. And a final reason he offered was to draw on the legacy of the historic red cars.
He summarized the project’s status: environmental clearance is winding down; it is at the thirty percent design stage; current funding sources include the tax district and Measure M. The streetcar has $200 million from Measure M’s voter-approved expenditure plan, though that funding is currently not scheduled until 2053. Huizar expressed hope that the environmental plans would aid his effort to accelerate the Measure M funds, and suggested the possibilities of a private/public partnership and/or federal funding. Regarding the paltry attendance at the EA hearing I mentioned, Huizar asserted that hundreds if not thousands of supporters have shown up for other meetings and he hopes this is the start of the final steps toward reaching the end of a long process.
The Committee approved all three actions “without objection.” The next day, it was heard at the full City Council, which passed it without discussion under the consent calendar. Mayor Garcetti approved it on Wednesday, per the official action summary.
The 3.8-mile project is now estimated to cost $291 million, plus another $15.6 million for a possible Grand Avenue extension. Proponents have put forward an optimistic timeline where, if construction starts in 2019, it could be finished in 2021.
LINK: https://la.streetsblog.org/2018/08/21/l-a-city-approves-downtown-streetcar-funding-plan- pushes-to-accelerate-metro-funds/
25 Streetcar sets alignments for Main Street extension
Kansas City Business Journal By Elise Reuter August 20, 2018
The Kansas City streetcar project team selected the lane alignments for the streetcar's extension south along Main Street. The 3.5-mile route will run from Union Station to the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Volker Campus, with eight new stops being added.
The project team determined the streetcar would run along the outside lane of Main Street, as opposed to the center two lanes with medians at the stops. The stretch of Main Street running through Midtown is significantly wider than the streetcar's starter line, giving workers four to six lanes to build the project.
The outside alignment was selected for being more pedestrian-friendly, and easier to integrate with Kansas City's bus system. It also would preserve the ability for cars to make left turns on Main Street, and allow for more on-street parking capacity, benefiting businesses along the corridor. It was also the most popular alignment, according to public feedback collected at two open house meetings.
"In order to build the best streetcar extension for Kansas City and position us to compete for federal funding, we looked closely at community needs, equitable access to service, operational efficiency, and cost as key alignment considerations," Kansas City Streetcar Authority Executive Director Tom Gerend said Monday in a release.
The outside alignment will apply for the stretch of track running from Union Station to 45th Street. The next segment of rail, from 45th Street to Volker Boulevard, will be studied further before selecting the final alignment. That's the section that runs adjacent to the Country Club Plaza.
For the southernmost stretch of track beyond Brush Creek, from approximately Volker Boulevard to 51st Street, the streetcar won't run in the road at all. Instead, it will run next to the existing walking path in the Country Club right-of-way.
"This is an important step to advancing the project," Robbie Makinen, CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, said in the release. "Making the alignment selection enables us to begin the process of applying for federal funding."
The Streetcar Authority will apply for federal funding next monthfor both the Main Street and Riverfront extensions. That submission will include capital and operating costs, ridership estimates and a funding plan.
The project team consisting of the Streetcar Authority, KCATA, the city of Kansas City and HDR Inc. is currently working to update project cost estimates, create a funding strategy and finish environmental work.
LINK: https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2018/08/20/kansas-city-streetcar- extension-alignment.html 26 KC Streetcar advances plans for Main Street Extension to UMKC
KSHB No author listed August 20, 2018
The KC Streetcar project team announced Monday it will advance plans to use outside-running line placement and has refined streetcar stops for the Main Street Extension to UMKC.
The outside-running line has the streetcar operate on city streets with traffic rather than a center- running line, where the streetcar would run in the middle of the road. The current KC Streetcar line in the Crossroads, downtown, and River Market is an outside-running line.
“We understand the operational challenges with an outside-running streetcar, but have learned a lot with our downtown operation and are proud of our 93+ percent on-time performance,” said Tom Gerend, executive director of the KC Streetcar Authority, in a news release.
The KC Streetcar project team said the outside-running track alignment will be implemented largely for the portion of the extension from Union Station to 45th Street. According to the news release, the section of the route between 45th Street and Volker Boulevard will undergo additional evaluation, and the southernmost route section between Volker Boulevard and 51st Street is planned to use the Country Club right-of-way.
The news release says the streetcar stop locations for the Main Street Exertion include:
• 27th Street • 31st Street • Armour Boulevard • 39th Street • 43rd Street • 45th Street • Cleaver Boulevard/Ward Parkway • 51st Street According to the news release, the planning for the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension continues with the necessary environmental work and development of a funding strategy before moving forward in design. The Federal Transit Administration previously authorized the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension for “Project Development,” which is now largely complete. The news release says the next step in the federal process is to submit the project for a rating and to request a commitment of federal funds to the project. The rating submittal will include refined capital and operating costs, ridership estimates and a funding plan.
The KC Streetcar project team consists of the KC Streetcar Authority, the KC Area Transportation Authority, the City of Kansas City, Missouri, and the consultant team led by HDR, Inc.
LINK: https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kc-streetcar-advances-plans-for-main-street- extension-to-umkc
27 Plans for major streetcar expansion move forward
KMBC By William Joy August 20, 2018
The Kansas City streetcar authority released new details in its major expansion Monday.
In June, voters approved a tax increase to pay for the $227 million expansion from Union Station to 51st Street.
In a release Monday, officials said the new track will continue on the outsides of the road instead of down the center.
“It’s not the fastest transportation, but it’s fantastic and really helps out people along the line,” Michael Schliefke, who regularly uses the streetcar, said.
Right now, it spans 10 stops from River Market to Union Station.
There are eight new stops on the expansion at 27th, 31st, Armour Boulevard, 39th, 43rd, 45th, Cleaver II Boulevard and at 51st and Brookside Boulevard.
Today, the streetcar authority announced the track will run on the outside of lanes, not the center.
In a 28-page report released Monday, streetcar officials said the rail alignment decisions were based on several factors including pedestrian needs, businesses nearby and ease of parking.
“I love it. I think it’s just easy to park and then go around,” Montrice Franks, a Junior at Rockhurst University said. “Especially for like freshmen, a lot of people don’t bring their cars to school, so just being able to go anywhere.”
This year’s freshmen won’t see it finished. The project won’t be done until 2023.
Officials said they would take another look at the area between 45th Street and the Plaza stop at Cleaver II because there are traffic concerns.
The announcement allows the streetcar authority to ask for federal money and head into the design phase of the project.
If funding and design for the project stay on schedule, the construction along Main Street is scheduled to begin in 2020.
LINK: https://www.kmbc.com/article/motorcyclist-ditches-bike-after-hitting-wet-cement-on- highway/22805132
28 The El Paso Streetcar Makes Its Way To San Francisco
KLAQ By Joanna Barba August 20, 2018
The El Paso Streetcar project is underway and making a ton of progress. Whether you love or hate it, it's happening. We recently got to see a video of the trolley in action which you can check out here. Yes, the street cars have certainly caused a headache with traffic here in town, but those six street cars should be up and running soon. I still think they need their own names and not numbers.
We all know by now what the street cars look like so it isn't hard for us to not recognize them but did you know that our little street cars aren't only gracing the streets of EP? If you follow El Paso Street Car on Instagram (@elpasostreetcar) you may have noticed our street car make an appearance in San Francisco! In a post from earlier this month, the EP Street Car cruising the streets of SF with an expanation of why it was painted that way (all about our history with our street cars).
LINK: http://klaq.com/the-el-paso-streetcar-makes-its-way-to-san-francisco/
29 Sun Metro to host streetcar safety meetings for the community
KVIA By Denise Olivas August 20, 2018
The El Paso Streetcars are rolling through downtown and the westside, but not yet ready to take passengers for a ride.
To ensure everyone's safety, Sun Metro is hosting public meetings to inform the community about extra precautions drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists should take.
Streetcars have been spotted on the 4.8-mile route for testing and training ahead of the launch.
The route runs in two loops known as Downtown and Uptown. The Downtown Loop includes Santa Fe Street, Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street and Father Rahm Avenue.
The Uptown Loop includes Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Glory Road, Baltimore Drive and Oregon Street.
Three community meetings will be held this week, beginning Tuesday at La Fe Culture and Technology Center, located at 721 S. Ochoa Street. The meeting will start at 6 p.m.
Two more meetings will be held later this week:
Wednesday, August 22
5:30 p.m.
El Paso Main Library
501 N. Oregon Street
Thursday, August 23
6:00 p.m.
Cathedral High School Auditorium
1309 N. Stanton Street
LINK: https://www.kvia.com/traffic/sun-metro-to-host-streetcar-safety-meetings-for-the- community/783821501
30 CATS: LYNX Blue Line and CityLYNX Gold Line closed Aug. 25, 26
WBTV By Andrew Barnett August 19, 2018
The Charlotte Area Transit System has announced that the LYNX Blue Line and the CityLYNX Gold Line will not be operating on August 25 and 26 due to track work.
There will be no train or streetcar service on those days.
CATS says LYNX Blue Line Light Rail Stations will be accessible via CATS LYNX Connector bus service.
Each station will have signs directing riders to the nearest bus stop.
CATS will be using many existing bus stops for the LYNX Connector Service.
Riders are told to look for the bus stops that say "LYNX Connector". When the bus approaches, the headway sign will say "LYNX Connector."
For a full list of locations to board the LYNX Connector, visit the CATS website.
CityLYNX Gold Line Streetcar Stations will be accessible via CATS local bus service on routes 9 Central Ave., 15 Randolph Rd., and 27 Monroe Rd.
Gold Line Stations will have signs at each station directing riders to the nearest bus stop.
Saturday service on route 9 is every 20 minutes, service on routes 15 and route 27 is every 30 minutes.
Sunday service for routes 9 and 15 ?is every 30 minutes; route 27 Sunday service is every 45 minutes .
You can access the weekend schedules here.
CATS says the Streetcar service is free; therefore, customers boarding at the bus stops within the Gold Line service area will ride free of charge.? ?
Customers should note the pickup and drop off location for Route 20 will be moved inside the transit center to Bay K.
For additional information regarding these changes, contact CATS Customer Service at 704-336- 7433.
LINK: http://www.wbtv.com/story/38915685/cats-lynx-blue-line-and-citylynx-gold-line-closed- aug-25-26
31 Sun Metro raises safety awareness for Streetcar testing
KFOX By Alexandria Rodriguez August 19, 2018
Sun Metro is making sure everyone is safe during the streetcar testing going on in downtown El Paso.
As CBS4 reported, the streetcar project began daytime testing phase last week, which means operators started testing the streetcars through the new routes during the day.
Sun Metro wants to raise awareness on the safety precautions that drivers, cyclists and pedestrian drivers need to take near the 4.8 mile streetcar route.
It will be hosting three community meetings through this week:
Tuesday, August 21, La Fe Culture and Technology Center, 721 S. Ochoa St. @ 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 22, El Paso Main Library, 501 N. Oregon St. @ 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 23, Cathedral High School Auditorium, 1309 N. Stanton St. @ 6:00 p.m.
The route runs in two loops known as Downtown and Uptown.
The Downtown Loop includes Santa Fe Street, Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street and Father Rahm Avenue.
The Uptown Loop includes Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Glory Road, Baltimore Drive and Oregon Street.
Sun Metro shares some important tips to remember when approaching a Streetcar:
Pedestrians
Look both ways and listen for the streetcar before you step into a crosswalk. Streetcars run on electricity and are extremely quiet when approaching a station.
Remove headphones or reduce volume so you can hear streetcar warning bells and horns. Streetcars will provide warning sounds before coming to a stop.
There are new signals all along the streetcar route. Cross only at a crosswalk when the walk signal is on.
Never try to beat a moving streetcar by walking or running in front of it while it's in motion. Streetcars cannot make sudden stops. Never try to beat a moving streetcar by walking or running in front of it while it's in motion. Streetcars cannot make sudden stops.
Drivers
Pass the streetcar with caution. Never block the tracks while parking or changing lanes. 32 Never cut in front of a moving streetcar. Do not attempt a right turn in front of a streetcar. Get behind the streetcar to make any right turns.
Park only at designated spaces along the streetcar route. Never block the tracks. Cars will be towed.
Pay attention to new signs, striping and signals all along the streetcar route.
Cyclists
Avoid riding near streetcar tracks when possible. Track grooves are slightly wider than the typical bike tire, so it's easy for tires to become caught between the rails. Always cross rails at a 90 degree angle.
Tracks can be slippery, especially when wet. Try to avoid any wet areas along the route when crossing the tracks.
Stanton Street (between Baltimore Dr. and Rio Grande Ave. is now a two-way bikeway. All cyclist can ride north and south on the same side of the street.
Never grab the back of a streetcar to be pulled along on your bike.
LINK: https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/sun-metro-raises-safety-awareness-for-streetcar-testing- 08-20-2018
33 A downtown streetcar is not desired
The Los Angeles Times By The Times Editorial Board August 18, 2018
Last week the Los Angeles City Council approved a nearly $600-million financial plan to build and operate a streetcar on a nearly four-mile loop in downtown. Yet despite the cascade of public dollars being pledged to the project, there’s still considerable skepticism over whether the streetcar will — or even should — be built.
The streetcar was first pitched more than a decade ago by the Community Redevelopment Agency and business leaders as a way to entice more investors downtown, but there’s little need to woo them now. Downtown is teeming with construction crews as developers refurbish historic buildings and erect new ones.
The project was also supposed to cost $125 million, half of which would be funded by a tax assessment approved by downtown property owners in 2012. The other half would come from federal transportation grants.
Today the price tag is $296 million. Some $200 million of that would be paid from the Measure M increase in local sales taxes — but the money won’t be available until 2053. (The council voted to ask Metro to provide the funding sooner, which is sure to spark a fight with the backers of numerous other projects vying to accelerate their funding.) And the city has voted to spend an additional $295 million in county sales tax revenue for operations and maintenance for the next 30 years.
In short, city leaders have committed nearly half a billion dollars to build what amounts to a glorified bus. Is this really the best use of precious, limited transportation funding?
The streetcar would cover a 3.8-mile loop between Staples Center and the Civic Center. It wouldn’t connect to the booming Arts District or to Disney Hall unless the city comes up with the money for an extension. It wouldn’t have a dedicated lane, meaning the trolley could get bogged down in the same traffic as other vehicles. It would travel routes already covered by the city’s DASH buses.
The project’s biggest booster is Councilman Jose Huizar, who has single-handedly kept it on track even as the price grew and the projected speed of the streetcar dwindled. Huizar has been a major force in revitalizing downtown, and he argues the streetcar will become essential as more people live and work downtown and need a better connection to area rail stations.
The population downtown is expected to grow, and there is a need for more transit options. But why is a pricey, slow-moving trolley the best solution? The fixation on the streetcar crowds out other options to help people move around downtown, such as, say, more buses. Real estate blog CurbedLA outlined several streetcar alternatives, such as a trolley bus or an electric train that rides virtual rails, that could hit the road in a matter of months, rather than years or even decades.
34 Real estate investors also want the streetcar because, unlike a bus, its route wouldn’t change; it would be etched in the asphalt. They know their property will always be streetcar-adjacent. But what’s good for investors isn’t necessarily good for the public, and the public shouldn’t be obligated to pay the vast majority of the bill for a project that’s designed to serve commercial interests.
If private investors want to put up the bulk of the money, then the streetcar would be more appealing. However, the bar for spending public transit dollars should much higher. Los Angeles needs more mass transit to help people get to jobs, schools and opportunities across the region. It needs fast, efficient transportation options to persuade people to leave their cars at home and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
A streetcar that makes a four-mile loop around town? That’s novelty, not a necessity.
LINK: http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-downtown-streetcar-20180818-story.html
35 Downtown streetcar project glides forward with $291M construction budget
Curbed Los Angeles By Bianca Barragan August 17, 2018
Plans for a Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar leaped forward this week.
The Los Angeles City Council approved a funding plan Wednesday for the streetcar’s construction—expected to cost $291 million. The plan includes seeking out $100 million in a federal grant and asking Metro to give the project $200 million in Measure M revenue that’s earmarked for the streetcar but isn’t slated to be awarded until 2053.
Whether Metro can deliver the promised funds ahead of schedule could be yet another potential hurdle for the much-delayed project. Agency rules stipulate that funding can be accelerated only if it “does not delay or otherwise negatively impact other projects.”
Councilmember Jose Huizar, whose Downtown district includes the proposed streetcar route, says that including those Measure M funds—but not the federal grant—the project has $590 million in “committed funding” for building, operating, and maintaining the streetcar for 30 years.
The remaining $390 million comes from a variety of sources, including Measure R funds and a tax on Downtown business owners in the area around the streetcar.
“Downtown Los Angeles is in the midst of incredible growth, and we need to do all we can to prepare for that growth and our escalating transportation needs,” Huizar said in a statement last week.
The streetcar has been in the works for years, and was once expected to be complete in 2016. It’s now scheduled to open in 2021.
LINK: https://la.curbed.com/2018/8/17/17696458/downtown-streetcar-funding-metro-grants- transportation
36 Sun Metro to Host Community Meetings on Streetcar Safety
El Paso Herald-Post No author listed August 17, 2018
Starting next week, Sun Metro has scheduled three community meetings to raise awareness about Streetcar Safety.
The El Paso Streetcar project is in its testing and training phase. To ensure the system can operate safely for the public, Sun Metro encourages the public to obey traffic laws and cross safely at designated locations when driving, cycling or walking near the 4.8 mile streetcar route.
The route runs in two loops known as Downtown and Uptown. The Downtown Loop includes Santa Fe Street, Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street and Father Rahm Avenue. The Uptown Loop includes Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Glory Road, Baltimore Drive and Oregon Street.
Sun Metro officials share the following tips to remember when approaching a Streetcar:
Pedestrians
Look both ways and listen for the streetcar before you step into the crosswalk. Streetcars run on electricity and are extremely quiet when approaching a station.
Remove headphones or reduce volume so you can hear streetcar warning bells and horns. Streetcars will provide warning sounds before coming to a stop.
There are new signals all along the streetcar route. Cross only at a crosswalk when the walk signal is on.
Never try to beat a moving streetcar by walking or running in front of it while it’s in motion. Streetcars cannot make sudden stops. Never try to beat a moving streetcar by walking or running in front of it while it’s in motion. Streetcars cannot make sudden stops.
Motorists
Pass the streetcar with caution. Never block the tracks while parking or changing lanes.
Never cut in front of a moving streetcar. Do not attempt a right-hand turn in front of a streetcar. Get behind the streetcar to make any right-hand turns.
Park only at designated spaces along the streetcar route. Never block the tracks. Cars will be towed.
Pay attention to new signs, striping & signals all along the streetcar route.
Cyclists
37 Avoid riding near streetcar tracks when possible. Track grooves are slightly wider than the typical bike tire, so it’s easy for tires to become caught between the rails. Always cross rails at a 90 degree angle.
Tracks can be slippery, especially when wet. Try to avoid any wet areas along the route when crossing the tracks.
Stanton Street (btwn Baltimore & Rio Grande) is now a 2-way bikeway. All cyclist can ride north and south on the same side of the street.
Never grab the back of a streetcar to be pulled along on your bike.
For more information and videos about El Paso Streetcar safety, visit the website, call (915) 212- 3333, like the Facebook page or follow Sun Metro on Twitter @SunMetro.
LINK: https://elpasoheraldpost.com/sun-metro-to-host-community-meetings-on-streetcar- safety/
38 Second lawsuit filed over Milwaukee streetcar track accidents
WSAU No author listed August 17, 2018
The City of Milwaukee now faces a second lawsuit over an accident caused by the streetcar tracks. It was filed earlier this week.
The first accident happened when a motorcyclist got his front tire stuck in the tracks. Now Trace Matabele says she crashed a Bublr Bike bicycle while going home from work last week near Ogden and Franklin. The Milwaukee Public Schools teacher broke both elbows and a rib. Her lawsuit said while she's aware of warning signs telling cyclists to cross the tracks at 90-degrees, she had no choice but to drive parallel.
Another bicyclist shattered his ankle last month when his bike slipped on the tracks in the same area. He has not taken any legal action as yet.
LINK: https://wsau.com/news/articles/2018/aug/17/second-lawsuit-filed-over-milwaukee- streetcar-track-accidents/
39 Future of Seattle streetcar remains in limbo
KING5 By Chris Daniels August 16, 2018
Business leaders in Seattle are wondering if the city tipped its hand about the future of the Center City Connector as they look through a tangled web of documents related to the streetcar and a future arena.
“The Center City streetcar and the streetcar system has been absent and when the questions have been raised, there is no answer, that's concerning,” said Mike McQuaid, chair of the transportation committee for the South Lake Union Community Council.
McQuaid notes that the city’s Draft Environmental Review of the new Seattle Center arena contained little about the streetcar system. Recent presentations focused more on improving the aging monorail. He and others believe it’s a sign of the city’s confidence in completing the Connector, which was put on hold pending an outside review.
The Connector, as funded, would fill in the gap between the existing South Lake Union and First Hill streetcar lines. Mayor Jenny Durkan put a stop work order on the project in April, after it was revealed the project was $23 million over budget. That order came despite the fact that utility and preliminary work was already underway on First Avenue in Pioneer Square.
McQuaid and several other community and business leaders, signed a letter this week urging Mayor Durkan and the Seattle Department of Transportation to get the project moving again.
The letter reads:
Mayor Durkan,
Thank you for the meeting with Deputy Mayor Ranganathan, SDOT Director Sparrman, staff and your advisor. We appreciate the opportunity to sit down and discuss the project challenges and how we can be assistance in moving the Center City Connector project forward.
We both understand and support the need to conduct a robust review of both the CCC project and the larger systemic issues that face our city departments. We are appreciative of the hard work involved in such a critical examination. We all want things to work better. As these various reviews continue to progress, we encourage you to separate the value of a completed streetcar project from the larger systemic issues within the City.
The value of the Center City Connector was demonstrated during a multi-year, multi-stakeholder process including scoping and the award of an FTA grant. The completion of the streetcar project is critical in providing both high capacity transportation and economic development opportunities to our growing center city neighborhoods. These neighborhoods which will be connected by the streetcar encompass the largest concentration of low income housing in the region, more than 10,000 units.
40 We are eager to work with you to ensure that the project is completed, as a demonstration of the CITY'S ability to deliver on projects and be a good financial steward. We look forward to continuing this conversation next Thursday and getting this project back on track.
Critics have pointed to low ridership and cost-effectiveness as reasons not to continue with construction plans. Durkan’s office said Thursday no decision had been made. Spokesperson Stephanie Formas told KING 5 that the mayor will listen to all feedback from stakeholders before making the call. The independent investigation is due by the end of the month.
Durkan and the Seattle Streetcar Coalition plan on meeting next week to discuss the Connector’s future.
Bryan Stevens, a spokesperson for the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, which is running the environmental review of the arena project, said the Connector is included “as a part of the 2020 Transportation network in both the DEIS or FEIS.”
McQuaid and the Streetcar Coalition say they are supportive of the independent review but are adamant about any outcome.
“Killing the Center City Connector could kill access to KeyArena,” he said, adding, “We need to find fixed right-of-way tools to make it happen and the streetcar is one of those.
“Otherwise, we set ourselves back mobility wise forty years.”
LINK: https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/future-of-seattle-streetcar-remains-in- limbo/281-584959732
41 Another person injured after bike tire gets wedged in streetcar tracks
TMJ4 By Tatiana Cash August 16, 2018
A lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee is pending after a Trace Matabele fell off her bike while riding over the streetcar tracks, according to her lawyers Hupy & Abraham.
Matabele is the second biker to work with the law firm after being injured when her bike tire was wedged between the street and the rail, causing a crash.
Fixation bike store president and avid cyclist Nick Ginster cringed hearing of Matabele's accident. He says cyclist could start switching tires.
"Five-inch tires. You're probably not gonna get stuck in those tracks. But that's not necessarily a reasonable bike to be riding all the time if you're commuting," said Ginster.
Matabele fractured both elbows and one rib while riding a Bublr bike. Both of her arms hang in slings and she says she'll need at least six weeks of physical therapy.
Since the accident, Matabele has missed work as a teacher at Lincoln Center of the Arts. She says all of her physical hobbies are gone.
"I don't know how long it will be to get back to swimming again. But that would be my--that would be an awesome day," said Matabele.
The incident happened on Ogden Avenue between Franklin and Prospect. She says she took a Bublr bike out on Ogden.
Following the bike path, she says she ran out of path and the rails had her trapped. Matabele says she had no choice but to ride parallel to the lines right next to one of the streetcar platforms.
"In an effort to maneuver left off the tracks, my tire got stuck," said Matabele.
From there, Matabele says her ribs hit the handlebars and her arms broke her fall. Her lawyers say she's making claims of injury and damages against the city. Matabele says she's doing this because she doesn't want anyone else to get hurt.
The Milwaukee Streetcar does has a website with tips, tricks and videos to help cyclist, drivers and pedestrians share the road with the trolley. But Matabele says how many more people need to get hurt before they stop offering tips and begin making a change.
LINK: https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/another-person-injured-after-bike-tire-gets- wedged-in-streetcar-tracks
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