Minneapolis — Streetcars May Return

Rail Transit Online, November 2006

A $300,000 feasibility study commissioned by the Minneapolis city council has shown that many downtown avenues could accommodate streetcars, although no decision has been made on whether to move ahead with a project.  The analysis was conducted by Nelson/Nygard Consulting Associates in conjunction with the Access Minneapolis Ten-Year Transportation Action Plan.  Streets considered for a future network are wide enough to handle both regular traffic and car tracks, do not duplicate current or future light rail lines and would provide connections with other transit modes.  The service would operate on 15-min. headways at least 18 hours daily, seven days a week.  Streetcars are one of several major transportation improvements under consideration by the Access Minneapolis Project Steering Committee.  Further studies are needed to pinpoint specific routes and funding sources must be identified.  Minneapolis and St. Paul once had a thriving streetcar system; at its peak the Twin City Rapid Transit Co. owned 704 cars and operated 524 mi. (843 km) of track.