Tacoma Tram

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tram
Tacoma Link
image
Tram at Union Station
Basic information
Country United States of America
city Tacoma , Washington
opening August 22, 2003
operator Sound transit
Infrastructure
Route length 2.6 km
Gauge 1435 mm ( standard gauge )
Power system 750 V =
Operating mode Bidirectional operation
Stops 6th
Depots 1
business
Lines 1
Line length 2.6 km
Clock in the peak hours 12 min
Clock in the SVZ 24 min
vehicles 3 Škoda 10T
Top speed 40 km / h
statistics
Passengers 1,024,053 per year (2012)
Network plan
Network plan

The Tacoma Link is the name given to the tram that opened in Tacoma , Washington, in August 2003 . With a length of 2.6 kilometers, the Tacoma Link is one of the smallest tram networks in the world. The planning was done by Sound Transit together with the Seattle light rail , to which a later connection is planned.

business

The only line runs from the train station, the Tacoma Dome, to the Theater District and serves a total of six stops. An additional stop, which is not shown on the network map above, is located at Commerce Street / 11th St. Three type 10T railcars from the Czech manufacturer Škoda are used.

Use of the line is expected to be free until 2022.

future

There are several projects to extend this short distance.

Existing (red) and extended line (blue)

Hilltop extension

An extension of another 2.4 miles (approximately 3.9 km) is currently planned. The line will then continue north from the previous northern terminus “Theater District” to the Stadium District and then in a south-westerly direction to Hilltop. 6 more stops are planned. The construction costs of 165 million US dollars have already been largely covered.

Construction work began in November 2018. The opening of the new route is planned for 2022. The cycle times should then be reduced to 10 minutes.

North End Extension

This stretch is to be built along South 19th Street to the Tacoma Community College (TCC). Large numbers of passengers are expected because the TCC is a large transfer point. The plans presented provide for a 5.6 km long route with six stations. Construction costs are estimated at $ 478 million.

Public funding for the route was confirmed in 2016 and is expected to go into operation in 2039. In addition to the extension, a section at the train station will then be doubled in order to generally reduce the cycle times to 6 minutes.

Airport extension

This Tacoma Link project runs along Highway 99 through Fife , Federal Way , and SeaTac to S 200th St Station near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport . This would allow for a drive from Downtown Tacoma (or maybe even North Tacoma if the above extension is being built) to Downtown Seattle and Northgate.

More likely, however, is the extension of the Seattle light rail , which is to be extended from the airport to Tacoma. This extension is scheduled to go into operation in 2041. The "Kent / Des Moines to Federal Way Transit Center Light Rail" connection covers 15 miles along Interstate 5 with six stations. Most of it would be built in an elevated position and would allow a transition at the Tacoma Dome.

Tacoma Streetcar

A citizens' initiative, Tacoma Streetcar , calls for the complete reintroduction of the Tacoma tram that was discontinued in 1938.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Tacoma Link to remain fare free until Hilltop extension opens. Exit133.com, April 29, 2016 (English).
  2. ↑ Craig Sailor: Hilltop street car's 2.4 mile route extension breaks ground Monday . In: The News Tribune , November 17, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018. 
  3. ↑ Feds add another $ 2 million to Tacoma's Link light rail extension. The News Tribute, September 14, 2015.
  4. ↑ Sound Transit's $ 50 billion light-rail extension plan faces pushback. Q13 Fox, dated April 21, 2016 (English).
  5. ↑ SOUND TRANSTI 3 DRAFT SYSTEM PLAN . March 2016.