Sacramento — Streetcar Link

Rail Transit Online, June 2007

The West Sacramento City Council has unanimously authorized further studies of a proposed $50-million streetcar system linking the city to downtown Sacramento.  Consultants will develop a financing plan, conduct preliminary engineering and complete environmental work for the 2.2-mi. (3.54 km) route from the West Sacramento Civic Center to Sacramento's midtown via the iconic Tower Bridge, which hasn’t carried streetcars since 1941.  Streetcars would use existing light rail tracks along Seventh, Eighth and K streets in downtown Sacramento; a fleet of eight modern trolleys would operate on 10-min. headways.  West Sacramento would be the lead agency, aided by Sacramento, the Yolo County Transportation District and the Sacramento Regional Transit District.  “The streetcar concept is one that has taken off all over the country,” West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon told The Sacramento Bee.  “It's not just an alternative option for transportation, but for living.”  The route will act as a circulator for residents, visitors and workers, connecting the two cities’ downtowns with new homes, office buildings and other development on both sides of the Sacramento River.  There will also be connections to tourist-oriented riverfront recreational activities.   It could eventually be extended to the planned transit center at Sacramento’s Amtrak station, which already has light rail service.  HDR Concept Drawing