Seattle First Hill streetcar gets go-ahead
Written by Douglas John BowenThe Seattle City Council's transportation committee Tuesday approved a contract to move forward with construction of the First Hill Streetcar, to run between First Hill and Pioneer Square.
The First Hill streetcar is being built as compensation for Sound Transit’s earlier decision to eliminate a planned underground light rail transit stop on First Hill citing cost and routing difficulties. The route will serve the city’s Chinatown, Seattle University, and Seattle Central Community College, among other locations.
The current plan includes an agreement by the City Coucil and the city Department of Transportation with Pioneer Square businesses and residents to extend the streetcar line to First Avenue South. By doing so, the streetcar can run at 10-minute intervals.
The 2.5-mile line, costing $132 million, is anticipated to begin revenue service in 2014. Construction is expected to begin in April.
