 First Hill Streetcar Project First Hill Streetcar
The preferred North Link light rail route, identified by the Sound Transit Board in May 2004, included a First Hill light rail station. Subsequent technical studies, however, found considerable engineering, geology and construction risks at the First Hill Station site. In July 2005, the Board eliminated the station from the preferred North Link route.
Recognizing First Hill as a regional destination, the Board directed that viable transit service options be identified to improve connections between the First Hill and regional transit hubs, including Link light rail stations.
Sound Transit staff, in cooperation with City of Seattle and King County Metro Transit staff, completed the First Hill Work Program in the summer of 2006. The First Hill Transit Connector Alternatives Summary Report (PDF 325kb) summarizes the results and public involvement in the process, and presents information on the relative benefits of streetcars and bus transit.
The overarching goal in this work was to evaluate which services will attract the highest ridership and most improve regional transit connections to the major employers and residents of the designated regional growth center formerly expected to be served directly by light rail. The streetcar option was preferred strongly overall by residents, institutions, and business owners commenting on the study.
Next Steps
The First Hill Streetcar project – a 2-mile streetcar connector serving Seattle’s Capitol Hill, First Hill and International District areas with connections to Link light rail and Sounder commuter rail -- was included in the mass transit system expansion ballot that voters approved in November 2008.
Sound Transit will partner with the City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to deliver this project. Sound Transit will provide funding for the project while SDOT manages the design and construction. Working cooperatively, the agencies hope to deliver the project earlier and for lower cost than originally anticipated. Sound Transit and SDOT are expected to enter a formal agreement for the delivery of the First Hill Street car later this year.
UPDATE 11/17/09 : The city and Sound Transit have executed an agreement that includes an expedited construction timeline - the line is anticipated to open in 2013 instead of the 2016 completion that was earlier planned. Learn more about the agreement >>>
Project ContactJeff Munnoch
Community Outreach Specialist
401 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone:(206) 398-5131
24 Hour Hotline:(888) 298-2395
jeff.munnoch@soundtransit.org
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