Using Streetcars to Develop Complete Streets: The Experience

NACTO Designing Cities Ethan Melone October 23, 2014

1 SDOT’s mission & vision

Mission: delivering a first-rate transportation system for Seattle.

Vision: a vibrant Seattle with connected people, places, and products.

2 SDOT’s core principles

Keep it safe

Provide great Focus on the service basics

Support a Build healthy thriving communities economy

3 Seattle’s Center City 5.5-mile system: Streetcar •South Lake Union (2007) System •First Hill (2015) • (2016/17) •Center City Connector (2018)

Seattle Streetcar 4 Seattle’s Complete Streets • Adopted in 2007 Policy • Policy support for several “road diet” projects.

Seattle Streetcar 5 South Lake Union Westlake Avenue South Lake Union Streetcar

Project Development . 2004-2006

Opened December 2007

Seattle Streetcar 7 South Lake Union

The streetcar spurred transformation of an underutilized industrial zone into a mixed-use neighborhood.

Seattle Streetcar 8 South Lake Union

The streetcar spurred transformation of an underutilized industrial zone into a mixed-use neighborhood.

Seattle Streetcar 9 South Lake Union: Westlake Avenue

Four-Lane, One-Way Arterial

High-Accident Locations

Converted to Two-Way Arterial

Seattle Streetcar 10 First Hill Streetcar Capitol Hill-Broadway Broadway: 2009

Four-Lane Two- Way Arterial

On-Street Parking

14’ Sidewalks

Seattle Streetcar 12 Broadway Bike Lane

Response to:

Bike Concerns from First Streetcar Segment

Community Interest in Reclaiming the Street

City of Seattle Complete Streets Policy

Seattle Streetcar 13 Broadway

Streetcar Track & Cycle Track

Seattle Streetcar 14 Broadway Bike Lane

• Two-Way Cycle Track (1 Mile)

• Two 5’ Lanes, 2’ Buffer

• Bike Signals

• Left Turn Boxes

Seattle Streetcar 15 Broadway: Plaza Stations

New plazas create a sense of place at streetcar stations.

Seattle Streetcar 16 Broadway: Plaza Stations

“”Before Condition

Seattle Streetcar 17 Broadway: Plaza Stations

New plazas create a sense of place at streetcar stations.

Seattle Streetcar 18 Broadway: Plaza Stations

“”Before Condition

New plazas create a sense of place at streetcar stations.

Seattle Streetcar 19 Broadway: Plaza Stations

New plazas create a sense of place at streetcar stations.

Seattle Streetcar 20 Center City Connector First Avenue -

First Avenue: Exclusive Transitway

Seattle Streetcar 22 First Avenue

Seattle Streetcar 23 First Avenue

Seattle Streetcar 24 Streetscape Concepts

Seattle is exploring options: • Signature Street • Quiet Insertion

Photo: James McGrath, Lyon, France Bailey Fellowship

Seattle Streetcar 25 Photo:Photo: James James McGrath, McGrath, Lyon, France BaileyBailey Fellowship Fellowship

Signature Street . . . Seattle Streetcar 26 Photo: James McGrath, Lyon, France Bailey Fellowship

Signature Street . . . a green spine Seattle Streetcar 27 Photo: James McGrath, Photo: James McGrath, Grenoble, France Bailey Fellowship Bordeaux, France Marseilles, France Bailey Fellowship

Quiet Insertion . . . integrated into the urban fabric Seattle Streetcar 28

First Avenue: Transitway

Materials Photo: James McGrath, Bailey Fellowship

Photo: James McGrath, Bailey Fellowship

Seattle Streetcar 29 Seattle Streetcar—Complete Streets Evolution

2004-2007 Westalke Avenue: Conversion of Four-Lane Arterial to Two-Way Street with Transit

2009-2014 Broadway: Reclaiming the Street with Bikeway and Plazas

2014-2017 First Avenue: Exclusive Transitway-Signature Street or Quiet Insertion?

Thank you!

Seattle Streetcar 31