Gina M. M. Thomas. HDR, Transit Engineer Seattle, WA

Transcription

1 Tucson Streetcar: A Success Story How a streetcar project helped to re-establish a sense of place for the Tucson community Gina M. M. Thomas P.E., LEED A.P., ENV S.P. HDR, Transit Engineer Seattle, WA

2 Key Take-Aways Beyond Expectations: Higher Ridership More Economic Development Increased Sense of Community

3 Project Overview Alignment length: 3.9 miles 18 stops Maintenance Facility located south of 8 th 8 modern streetcars Peak/off-peak headways: 10/20 minutes 2010 Ridership Estim: 3,600 per weekday Capital cost: $196 million 100,000 people within corridor 11,000+ parking spaces along the route

4 Project Timeline Tucson Transit Study RTA Funding Secured with Voter Approval May 2006 Secured $63M TIGER Grant Funding TIGER Grant Signed February 2010 Completion of Design 100% Design Plans Submitted September 2011 Start of Construction April 2012 End of Construction October 2013 Delivery of First Car August 2013 On-Street Testing Starts September 2013 Delivery of Final Vehicle May 23, 2014 Revenue Service: July 25, 2014

5 4 District Ribbon Cutting Celebrations One Grand Opening Event 1,600 attendees 3 Days of Free Rides (July 25-27) 60,000 riders 400+ Volunteers 26,000 pounds of ice 25,000 bottles of water July 25, 2014 Grand Opening

6 Public Art at 8 Signature Stops

7 8 Signature Stations

8 August 25, 2011 Public Art Open House

9 Helen/Warren

10 Highland/2 nd St

11 University/3 rd Ave

12 4 th Ave/6 th St

13 Congress/6 th Ave & Broadway/6 th Ave

14 Congress/Church & Broadway/Church

15 Granada/Cushing

16 Congress/Avenida del Convento

17 Plaza Centro Garage

18 Maintenance Facility

19 Luis G. Gutierrez Bridge

20 Economic Development 500 construction related jobs Will add 1,500+ long term jobs $800 million+ in private/public investment along corridor to date Attracted 50+ new restaurants, bars and cafes in the downtown area Stimulating new housing 1,500+ units to date 86% increase in new or relocated businesses in the downtown area alone in 2014 Connects neighborhoods and commerce; connects U of A to Downtown Triggers redevelopment and long term community investment

21 Key Takeaways: Beyond Expectations Tucson SunLink exemplifies public transit s role in fostering sustainable, people-oriented communities This transit project has kicked off a new era in Tucson of people-focused transportation infrastructure that creates a renewed sense of place and soul. The pedestrian-focused housing, restaurants, clubs, and retail that has sprung up in the corridor has breathed new life in an urban core that had grown moribund despite decades of previous attempts at resuscitation. Activity lights up the four-mile route all hours of day and night, connecting people of different backgrounds, ages, and interests and giving us all a new spring in our step. This inspirational project and its positive ripples deserve to be sung from the treetops as a model for how to use urban transportation infrastructure to connect us to each other." - AZ State Senator Steve Farley Opening Day, July 25, 2014

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23 Rapid Streetcar Center City Connector (C3) Seattle WA Interlaces two existing streetcar routes through downtown Seattle in exclusive guideway with 5-minute headways The Game Changers Huge Ridership Numbers 24,000-31,000 daily trips on entire network 13,000-20,000 daily trips on new C3 stations Significant Traffic Congestion (stcar/auto) 11.5 min/6.5 min: PM Peak Travel Time in mixed traffic 7.5 min/8.0min: PM Peak Travel Time in exclusive guideway

24 Mercado Brownfield Redevelopment Master Plan High-density, mixed-use proposed at the west endof-line with direct access to streetcar

25 Tucson, Be Streetcar Street-Smart Bicyclists Use green pavement markings Indicate where to cross streetcar track as close to perpendicular as possible More helpful directional markings White bike dots help guide the way Be Aware of Shared Space Sharrows help assist cyclists to position more safely within the lane Use Green Bike Boxes Gives a bicyclist defined space, separate from vehicles at intersection Increases your visibility Helps you turn and maneuver more safely

26 How to Ride the Link Fares Seamless Regional Transit System SunGO: one card, many options How to board Wide doors = quick and easy access Validate your ticket: Tap- Hold-and Go ADA accessibility Bridge plate for easier boarding Priority seating Bring your bike on board

27 Public Safety Education Campaign Streetcar Street-Smart Objectives: Prepare the community for the streetcar experience Set stage for vehicle arrival and testing Create awareness about our new street environment with the streetcar in the mix Inclusive (universal) safety awareness across multiple modes: bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, ADA public