Richmond — Streetcars Study II

Rail Transit Online, August 2003

GRTC Transit System is seeking Expressions of Interest by Aug. 21 from qualified firms for its Phase II Downtown Richmond Streetcar Study.  A preliminary analysis by consultants Burgess & Niple Inc. completed earlier this year showed two potential lines looping through downtown, the Red Route and the Blue Route (see RTOL, May 2003).  They would be basically similar, following Cary, 18th, Main, Ninth and Broad streets.  However, the Red would run on Second and the Blue on Third.  The Phase II study will include:

• A public participation process to identify a preferred route and operating characteristics
• Non-invasive underground utility analysis
• Preliminary environmental scrutiny of route options
• Refinement of cost estimates, initially set at $40 million, and suggested funding strategies
• Recommendations on how to advance the project to preliminary engineering.

GRTC’s RFP also calls for a possible ridership estimate revision, depending on which route is selected.  City transportation planner Viktoria Badger said in April that the use of historic trolleys is envisioned, either new replicas or originals, and that the initial segment could be open in five or six years.