Los Angeles Streetcar

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.

Los Angeles Streetcar
Overview
Status	In planning
Stations	16
Website	Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc.
Service
Type	Streetcar
Operator(s)	Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc.
Technical
Character	Surface, in-street running
Track gauge	4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route diagram ●● ■ Hill & 1st Broadway & 2nd ● ● Hill & 3rd Broadway & 4th ●● ■ Hill & 5th Broadway & 6th Hill & 7th Broadway & 8th 7th & Grand Broadway & Olympic ● ● ●● ■ 7th & Flower 11th & Hill Figueroa & 8th 11th & Grand Figueroa & Olympic 11th & Flower

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 Jose 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

• Streetcars in North America
• Los Angeles Railway
• Pacific Electric

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. "City of Los Angeles Restoration of Historic Streetcar Service in Downtown LA". Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). February 4, 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-08.
3. "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.
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.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. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.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.

External links

• Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc.
• city of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering project website
• August 2, 2018 public hearing on draft Environmental Assessment PowerPoint
• City of Los Angeles Funding Plan (August 6, 2018)