The Little Engine That Might
An expansion of Tacoma’s Link has been the subject of vivid public discourse since its completion in 2003. Various proposals have been discussed before and after voters approved $80 million for extension of the system in 2008. More recently, streetcar advocates have generated considerable public interest in a growing range of possibilities. But we are still left with only possibilities, and no cohesive plan or mandate.
Our urban rail future could come into slightly clearer focus on Friday, July 23, from 12 -1:30pm when Transportation Choice Coalition, Downtown: On the Go! and the City of Tacoma join to host an informative panel – “What Lies Ahead for the Tacoma Streetcar.”
Sound Transit planning and development director Greg Walker will be joined by Alisa O’Hanlon from the City of Tacoma, and Bill Larbode from the Transportation Choices Coalition as presenters in this panel. Attendees are promised ample time for questions and answers.
If you are interested in attending this event and want to find background information on Tacoma’s urban rail issues, be sure to check the helpful summaries at TacomaTomorrow.com here and here.
Details
What’s Next for the Tacoma Streetcar??
Friday, July 23, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
University of Washington Tacoma
Garretson Woodruff Pratt Building, Tacoma Room (Room 320)
Filed under: General
14 comments
T the Jinxmedic July 20, 2010
Extend in both directions- West to Wright Park via Stadium Way, and East to the Salishan Community via Portland Avenue. Both destinations will increase ridership by benefiting a greater number of people per mile of track.
A Altered Chords July 20, 2010
If Tacoma had not expelled Chinese rail workers long ago, then Tacoma would have multi generational rail builders. But alas, we can not even complete a Chinese reconcilliation park.
R RR Anderson July 20, 2010
When is the next streetcar initiative I can add my signature to? I was sad to see you guys back down.
E Erik B. July 20, 2010
Come on Tacoma. Build the streetcar!
Seattle is building one leg after another and Tacoma is still in the planning phases.
N Nick July 20, 2010
I too am growing weary of all the talk. 7 years without any new LINK construction and we’re still just talking?
My impression is that the people want it, have already paid for it, and are even willing to pay for more of it. The missing part seems to be execution by our leadership. Perhaps we need some sort of transit authority at the city-level to execute and push for projects like this? Tacoma Transit? TDOT? TacTrans? …?
J Jesse July 21, 2010
Seven years since LINK and no solid plans yet.
I go to Portland every Wednesday and Thursday for work and heard the evening news there start talking about expanding streetcar to the east side back in late 2007. Tracks are now in the ground.
Tacoma is obviously not as capable as Portland or our very own Tacoma ancestors.
It’s time for city gov’t to stop resting on their laurels and if I hear another politician brag about LINK in this town I’m going to puke.
Raise the bar.
J Jenyum July 21, 2010
I agree with the general sentiment. Something needs to happen! I think TacTrans would be a good step to take, if Tacoma had it’s own transit agency we’d at least have a concerted voice for transit in the city proper.
And yeah, the LINK is not something to brag about. It goes about 3 feet. Time to expand it or stop pretending it’s a selling point for our city because it just makes you sound silly.
A Argyle July 21, 2010
Maybe if this wasn’t being held on a weekday during business hours then some of the people who actually use the local transportation system to commute could show up and voice their opinions.
Way to make your most important customers totally irrelevent.
A Andrew July 21, 2010
It sounds like everyone wants the streetcar faster, which is good news! The other good news is for the first time since the Tacoma Link opened there is real money waiting to be used for the project thanks to the voters of ST2. That doesn’t mean the path from here to construction is process free (by any means) but things are moving forward. Come hear and update and tell your leadership you wants expansion as fast as possible!
L lostinlosangeles July 21, 2010
High level operating parasites are amok in the city of Tacoma. They are even going as far as to build an idol to their great parasite god disguised as a car museum. Thats right folks, it’s not a meal worm at all, its a giant leech.
And it will drain the city of every last drop of the vital eclectic essence needed to stand out at the blue ribbon cities of the northwest fair.
Remember when there was talk about the electric car?? When is that going to happen? Instead the parasite idol is going to suck, pulsate and glow it’s way through your eclectic endurances and resistances to anywhere USA as it disperses the energy meant for the electric car into the atmosphere for no good god damn reason. Oh, you think the glow will attract moths off of the I-5? Yes it may, but don’t be surprised to find the eclectic appeal of your city chewed the fk up by those moths in the morning.
Why do Tacomaphiles desire a street car anyway? Is it because they see things in the other cities of the NW and want to have something to embellish their home town as well? Even if its just a street car transportation system?
And why do the high level parasites of Tacoma not grant more, and finish more projects that will make Tacoma stand out at the blue ribbon fair in a good way? Do they think flesh is already being sufficiently moved from one set of coordinates in the biosphere to the other by means of the already present bus system?
I feel for you Tacoma. I can see now that you are being made to underachieve. But don’t ever think the potholes and rusting bridges reflect who you really are inside, because inside you are great like the stoic mountain that solemnly watches over you and sees how you toil under the uncreative and mediocre decision making of your cities government.
Its time for a riot.
J Jesse July 23, 2010
I went to this meeting today ready to hear plans for expansion. Nothing. They are still at step one (talking about it) for expansion. I’d be shocked to see rails in the ground before 2016 at LEAST. Seven years since LINK and no plans by Sound Transit.
I think another agency needs to sue for custody of this baby because ST is not capable of getting this done in a timely fashion.
Seven years and not even a start of a plan. No set goals for next steps No timeframes set in stone only calendar years that they hope to accomplish things in.
1.7 miles planning starts in 1996.
Takes 8 years until that is operable.
It’s 2010.
If it takes eight years for another 1.7 miles?
That’s 3.4 miles in 22 years.
Totally unacceptable.
T Tacoma1 July 24, 2010
It’s my understanding that ST will put it anywhere we want it to go. So far, our City Council hasn’t done a thing to move it forward. Sticking a stop in the middle of the line to appease a developer (and therefore slowing the ride and increasing headway times doesn’t count as progress).
And Pt doesnt have a single mention of T-link or streetcars in their new design plan. Many people in Tacoma want this line extended. You would think that some or at least one of our local leaders or agencies would be interested in moving this train forward.
R RR Anderson July 25, 2010
those bastards! shoulda stuck with the citizens initiative. Last time you guys should listen to the city lawyer!!
M Mike G July 27, 2010
Tacoma needs to put tolls on I-5 at the Tacoma dome. The tolls are as follows:
I-5 at Tacoma tolls
——————————
Free for residents of Tacoma
$25 for residents of Seattle
$10 for all others
The all proceeds go to Tacoma’s general fund.