Quote(https://photos.moderncities.com/photos/i-CMmD6JG/0/L/i-CMmD6JG-L.jpg)
A look at an urban streetcar system that was completed in 2018 for less than $100 million.
Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/el-pasos-heritage-streetcar-system/
Could you IMAGINE the difference in overall vibrancy and TOD that would result if we took that $400 million we have budgeted for roboclown-driven Uber minivans in 2075 and added a streetcar system running from the stadium district, down Bay Street, through Lavilla, into Brooklyn, down to the Memorial Park/Five Points area. With an extension down Main into Springfield.
What's funny is that we probably wouldn't even need to budget that much. Remember, one of the really silly things about the U2C is that the $250 million for the Skyway conversion is 100% local funding. In today's political environment that's completely insane, knowing that a massive federal infrastructure bill just passed and we are fully capable of receiving federal funding with a local share. We even already know that it's possible in Florida, because Tampa received state & federal funds for their streetcar expansion. The only reason that hasn't happened yet is that they had to redo the local funding element, which hopefully will go through this year. $250 million is probably enough to get state and federal funding for both a big streetcar project and commuter rail, while probably still having enough money to refurbish the existing Skyway until its end of life.
To get back on topic, I'm curious how El Paso handles ADA compliance, or if they have a waiver because of the age of their rolling stock. I know Tampa manages to include a ramp option, but I don't see anything that would accommodate that here.
The individual streetcar vehicles have lifts. They said it cost around a million to restore and upgrade each streetcar.
Walked around a bit this afternoon. Here are a few destinations and new TOD along the streetcar line in Downtown El Paso.
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