Los Angeles Streetcar

Last updated
Los Angeles Streetcar
Overview
StatusIn planning
Stations16
Website www.streetcar.la
Service
Type Streetcar
Operator(s)Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc.
Technical
CharacterSurface, in-street running
Track gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
standard gauge
Route map
Los Angeles Streetcar
BSicon utvCONTg-.svg
BSicon uexdSTR+l.svg
BSicon uexdSTRq.svg
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LACMTA Circle B Line.svg   LACMTA Circle D Line.svg   LACMTA Square J Line.svg  
Hill & 1st
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BSicon uKRZt.svg
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BSicon ulBHF.svg
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Broadway & 2nd
LACMTA Circle A Line.svg   LACMTA Circle E Line.svg  
BSicon FUNI.svg Hill & 3rd
BSicon utLSTR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
BSicon uexSTR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon uexSTR.svg
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
Broadway & 4th
LACMTA Circle B Line.svg   LACMTA Circle D Line.svg   LACMTA Square J Line.svg  
Hill & 5th
BSicon utBHF.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
BSicon uexSTR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon uexSTR.svg
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
Broadway & 6th
Hill & 7th
BSicon utSTR.svg
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BSicon uexSTR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon uexSTR.svg
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Broadway & 8th
7th & Grand
BSicon utSTR.svg
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BSicon uexSTR.svg
BSicon utLSTR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
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Broadway & Olympic
LACMTA Circle A Line.svg   LACMTA Circle B Line.svg   LACMTA Circle D Line.svg   LACMTA Circle E Line.svg   LACMTA Square J Line.svg  
7th & Flower
BSicon utSTRl.svg
BSicon lINT.svg
BSicon utTBHFt.svg
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11th & Hill
Figueroa & 8th
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BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon uexSTR.svg
BSicon uexSTR.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon uexBHF(R)f.svg
11th & Grand
Figueroa & Olympic
BSicon uexBHF(L)g.svg
BSicon utSTR.svg
BSicon uexSTR.svg
BSicon uexdSTRl.svg
BSicon uexcSTRq.svg
BSicon uexBHF(L)gq.svg
BSicon utSTRe@f.svg
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11th & Flower
BSicon uCONTf.svg

The Los Angeles Streetcar is a planned, partly-funded electric streetcar that would return a single route to Downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Railway streetcar system served the area in the earlier part of the 20th century.

Contents

History

During the mid-1990s the notion of bringing streetcars back to Los Angeles began being explored. Over the years various entities and officials were involved with this unfolding process that eventually centered on downtown. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard secured $100,000 for a feasibility study released in September 2006. Then in 2008 it was endorsed by Councilman José Huizar as part of his Bringing Back Broadway initiative, providing it an influential backer. [1]

In May 2011, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), the city of Los Angeles, and several stakeholders began conducting studies and holding public meetings to explore the feasibility of restoring streetcar service downtown. [2] According to Metro the streetcar restoration effort would further the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Los Angeles's Historic Core and connect people to employment centers, shopping districts, civic resources, cultural institutions, historic landmarks and entertainment venues within the project study area. [2]

After narrowing it down to seven possible alignments for initial consideration, further study resulted in one alignment being chosen as the Locally Preferred Alternative in January 2012. [3] This alignment would travel on Grand Avenue, 1st Street, Broadway, 11th Street, Figueroa Street, 7th Street, and Hill Street, though a second alternative including an alignment on 9th Street instead of 7th Street was also included – thus two Build Alternatives were to be studied further for potential development. [3] [4] A Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (Draft EIR/EA) for these two Build Alternatives was expected to be released to the public in spring 2014. [2]

As of July 2017, the project had secured at least $390 million in local funding and was expected to begin operation no later than 2021. [5] [6] A property tax district created along its proposed route, approved in 2012, would provide $62.5 million to $80 million. Measure M, a new local sales tax, provides $200 million for the project but the funding would not be available until 2053. [7] In July 2018, the city of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering released the Environmental Assessment for public comment. [8] By this point the 9th St. alternative was no longer being considered. The public hearing for comments had a sparse turnout. [9]

The Los Angeles City Council on Aug. 15, 2018, approved a Funding Plan for the project, directed staff to apply for a Small Starts federal grant and also submit a proposal to Metro for the funding from Measure M to be accelerated. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

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The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), branded as Metro, is the county agency that plans, operates, and coordinates funding for most of the public transportation system in Los Angeles County, California, the most populated county in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Metro Rail</span> Urban rail transit system

The Los Angeles Metro Rail is an urban rail transit system serving Los Angeles County, California in the United States. It consists of six lines, including four light rail lines, and two rapid transit lines serving 101 stations. It connects with the Metro Busway bus rapid transit system, the Metrolink commuter rail system, and several Amtrak lines. Metro Rail is owned and operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G Line (Los Angeles Metro)</span> Bus rapid transit line

The G Line is a bus rapid transit line in Los Angeles, California, operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). It operates between Chatsworth and North Hollywood stations in the San Fernando Valley. The 17.7-mile (28.5 km) G Line uses a dedicated, exclusive right-of-way for the entirety of its route with 17 stations located at approximately one-mile (1.6 km) intervals; fares are paid via TAP cards at vending machines on station platforms before boarding to improve performance. It is one of the two lines in the Los Angeles Metro Busway system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E Line (Los Angeles Metro)</span> Light rail line

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">C Line (Los Angeles Metro)</span> Light rail line

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harbor Transitway</span> Roadway in Interstate Highway 110 in Los Angeles County, California

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">D Line (Los Angeles Metro)</span> Rapid transit line

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">K Line (Los Angeles Metro)</span> Light rail line

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Tokyo/Arts District station</span> Light rail station

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References

  1. Gabbard, Dana. "A Desire for Streetcars: A Comprehensive Survey of Southern California Proposals" Rail Users' Network Newsletter v.17 Issue 2 (Spring 2017) pp.11-13.
  2. 1 2 3 "City of Los Angeles Restoration of Historic Streetcar Service in Downtown LA". Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). February 4, 2014. Archived from the original on 2012-02-21. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  3. 1 2 "Restoration of Historic Streetcar Service in Downtown Los Angeles: Alternatives Analysis Final Report" (PDF). Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). January 13, 2012. Retrieved 2014-02-08.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. "Restoration of Historic Streetcar Service in Downtown Los Angeles: Build Alternatives (Map)" (PDF). Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). November 2013. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  5. Romero, Dennis. "Downtown L.A. Streetcar Aims for the Fast Track". LA Weekly. LA Weekly, LP. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. "The LA Streetcar Project May Not Be Ready Until 2021". NBC Los Angeles. NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 29 June 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. Nelson, Laura J. (June 30, 2017). "City leaders seek to speed downtown L.A. streetcar's 36-year funding wait". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  8. Regardie, Jon (July 24, 2018). "Downtown Streetcar Would Have 23 Stops, Cost Up to $306 Million". Los Angeles Downtown News . Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  9. Gabbard, Dana (August 7, 2018). "If Last Week's Hearing Was Any Indication, Enthusiasm Is Low for Downtown Streetcar". StreetsblogLA . Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  10. Gabbard, Dana (August 21, 2018). "L.A. City Approves Downtown Streetcar Funding Plan, Pushes to Accelerate Metro Funds". StreetsblogLA . Retrieved 22 August 2018.
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