Tacoma Link Stakeholder Group

Transcription

1 Tacoma Link Stakeholder Group Historical and Background Information: Material previously developed about expanding Tacoma Link Sound Transit September 20, 2010

2 March 1995 Regional Transit Authority (aka Sound Transit ) proposes Phase 1 of regional transit system plan to voters for funding Phase 1 plan includes a light rail line extending from Seattle to Tacoma with stations in downtown Tacoma Plan is rejected by voters

3 May 1996 Regional Transit System Long-Range Vision and Sound Move plan adopted by ST Board Long-Range Vision retains goal of light rail connection between downtown Tacoma and Seattle Sound Move includes light-rail service connecting downtown Tacoma with the regional transit terminal near the Tacoma Dome November 1996 Plan is approved by voters

4 November 1996 to August 2003 Planning, design and construction of Tacoma Link 5 stations; double- and singletrack sections; level boarding Vehicles used same as Portland streetcar system Station platforms are designed to be expandable to 2-car Central Link trains if/when connection to Seattle is made

5 Early stages of Sound Transit 2 (ST2) planning Ideas generated by cities and citizens for projects Expanding Tacoma Link placed on project list Issue Papers developed to examine Tacoma Link expansion and other potential projects Long-Range Plan updated to include rail extension through Tacoma (to Tacoma Community College area)

6 May 2007 ST Board approves placing ST2 plan on ballot as part of Roads & Transit proposal j ST2 does not include Tacoma Link extension Includes extending Central Link light rail from SeaTac Airport to Tacoma Dome November 2007 Roads & Transit is rejected by voters

7 December 2007 to July 2008 ST2 revised and shortened from 20-year to 15year plan ST2 includes Tacoma Link expansion as partnership: Funds, in the form of a capital contribution, are also programmed to provide for the expansion of the Tacoma Link light rail system if other public or private entities provide matching funds. Extensions that have been studied and are under consideration are north to the Tacoma General Hospital area or east to Fife. Includes extending Central Link light rail from SeaTac Airport to Redondo/Star Lake and planning for future extension to Tacoma November 2008 ST2 is approved by voters

8 Long Range Plan Issue Papers 2005 S.3: HCT System Development Issues in the South Corridor S.1: Tacoma Link Integration with Central Link S.6: Potential Tacoma Link Extension - East S.4: Potential Tacoma Link Extension - West S.3: HCT System Development Issues in the South Corridor Examines interrelationship of ST modes (light rail, commuter rail and express bus) as regional transit system is expanded over time and in phases Key Point: Some modes may eventually replace other modes (e.g., bus vs. rail); capital investments in one phase should try to anticipate this evolution to avoid over- or under- investment

9 Long Range Plan Issue Papers 2005 S.1: Tacoma Link Integration with Central Link Examines issues of connecting Tacoma with Central Link Key Point: Tacoma Link system was designed for possible future integration (with modifications) but 4-car trains too long to operate in downtown Tacoma Service structure possibilities: 4-car trains to Tacoma Dome; 2-car into downtown; 2-car trains between downtown and other station (e.g., Federal Way or Airport) with transfer for travel further north

10 Long Range Plan Issue Papers 2005 S.6: Potential Tacoma Link Extension - East Examines feasibility of extending Tacoma Link eastward to Puyallup cultural/entertainment complex (summarizing findings of 2004 study financed by Puyallup Tribe) Key Points: No fatal flaws identified; Assumed Tacoma Link technology along various at-grade alignments; Cost estimate from $38 to $72 million (2004 $) but is probably low

11 Long Range Plan Issue Papers 2005 S.4: Potential Tacoma Link Extension - West Examines feasibility, conceptual alignments and costs of extending Tacoma Link westward to Tacoma CC area Assumed ~ 6 mile extension, with streetcar-like operation (i.e., at-grade in mixed traffic) on double-track Key Points: Can serve multiple communities; Steep grade sections challenging; Ridership ~ 5 times today s; Cost estimate from $400 to $600 M (2004 $) but is probably low

12 Long Range Plan Issue Papers 2005 S.4: Potential Tacoma Link Extension West Conceptual Alignment Options

13 City of Tacoma - Streetcar Advisory Committee Assessing Streetcar Feasibility in Tacoma City Council committee presentation May 23, 2007 Examines feasibility, conceptual alignments and costs of establishing a city-wide streetcar system Considered historical streetcar routes, existing and future land uses and local/regional transit system Potentially 100 mile system, comprised of multiple routes, some of which would be extensions of existing Tacoma Link Construction and O&M cost estimates range dramatically depending on system design and environment (from $3 to $30 M per track-mile for construction)

14 City of Tacoma - Streetcar Advisory Committee Assessing Streetcar Feasibility in Tacoma

15 Questions? Discussion Prepared by Eric Chipps Sound Transit Office of Planning and Development Tacoma Link Expansion project manager (206)