Tacoma — Vintage Trolley Plan

Rail Transit Online, July 2006

The city council on June 27 unanimously approved a resolution directing city staff to conduct a feasibility study of a vintage streetcar system linking the city’s business districts.  Tacoma, together with Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, neighborhood councils and business interests, will investigate various technologies, capital costs and financing scenarios.  Three lines are envisioned:

Ø       Blue Line, a 6.1-mi. (9.8 km) loop serving the Sixth Avenue, Stadium and Proctor Districts 

Ø       Yellow Line, a 4.6-mi. (7.4 km) loop on Tacoma and Hilltop avenues

Ø       Green Line, 4.7-mi. (7.6 km) through the Lincoln District and the Tacoma Mall to South Tacoma Way. 

An eight-mile (12.9 km) fourth line to the Westgate area could be added later.  Support for the heritage trolley project has been growing in recent months as supporters tout its potential to reduce traffic and auto emissions while encouraging development and tourism.