Light Rail in Madison? (Milwaukee: homes, gated communities, to live)

[OyCrumbler]

Portland is comparable to Milwaukee in a lot of ways, and its light rail system is fantastic. I feel a light rail system for Milwaukee would be a great idea.

However, Madison is a fair bit smaller than the both of these so something more akin to bus rapid transit or simply more buses (perhaps a bigger fleet of smaller buses covering a greater area and an expanded schedule that are hybrids or electric and have bike racks) would probably be a better investment for Madison. I'm a big proponent of light rail, but an even bigger proponent of using novel and effective transportation systems. Heck, since Madison is low crime and plugged in, maybe they can be the first to kick-off a public rideshare program with the power of the Internet and smartphones.

[windhoek7]

Madison's geography makes it perfect for a light rail system. One line going down the middle of the Isthmus, and out to Middleton would cover a good chunk of population including the campus areas. The line would be in walking distance on most parts of the Isthmus. Contrary to belief, Madison is denser than the average US city. To find out, try street parking in the central part of the Isthmus. Madison is also 3 times denser than Salt Lake City--by the way, they have a light rail system. And every Madison resident knows that traffic bottlenecks in the campus downtown area because it's constrained to two major arteries. A light rail line could help alleviate this, while buses would still service southwest Madison. But naysayers against light rail would rather sit in traffic, widen streets and build more parking lots on the Isthmus. However, a growing city may no longer be able to afford those options, so we should look to rail.

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by windhoek7

Madison's geography makes it perfect for a light rail system. One line going down the middle of the Isthmus, and out to Middleton would cover a good chunk of population including the campus areas. The line would be in walking distance on most parts of the Isthmus. Contrary to belief, Madison is denser than the average US city. To find out, try street parking in the central part of the Isthmus. Madison is also 3 times denser than Salt Lake City--by the way, they have a light rail system. And every Madison resident knows that traffic bottlenecks in the campus downtown area because it's constrained to two major arteries. A light rail line could help alleviate this, while buses would still service southwest Madison. But naysayers against light rail would rather sit in traffic, widen streets and build more parking lots on the Isthmus. However, a growing city may no longer be able to afford those options, so we should look to rail.

I agree. I would love light rail across the isthmus (maybe even to the airport??) simply because in the morning and the evening it is very congested, especially if there is construction or it snows. I'm sure it would cost a lot of money, but I bet it would get a lot of community support, too.

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by windhoek7

Madison's geography makes it perfect for a light rail system. One line going down the middle of the Isthmus, and out to Middleton would cover a good chunk of population including the campus areas. The line would be in walking distance on most parts of the Isthmus. Contrary to belief, Madison is denser than the average US city. To find out, try street parking in the central part of the Isthmus. Madison is also 3 times denser than Salt Lake City--by the way, they have a light rail system. And every Madison resident knows that traffic bottlenecks in the campus downtown area because it's constrained to two major arteries. A light rail line could help alleviate this, while buses would still service southwest Madison. But naysayers against light rail would rather sit in traffic, widen streets and build more parking lots on the Isthmus. However, a growing city may no longer be able to afford those options, so we should look to rail.

Exactly!

[Boohovah]

I've lived most my life in the upper midwest and have been to Milwaukee many times. The population there is around 600,000 with a metro pop approaching 2 million last time I read. I currently live in Sacramento, CA. the population is around 400,000 with a metro pop around 2 million and odd. They have an extensive light rail here that they started in the 90's. It's a huge success, always packed and they have plans to add another line still. I don't see why a city of very similar size like Milwaukee couldn't have it be as succesful a it is here. It does help congestion but it's also a way to keep some extra car pollution out of the city. And it's a good and efficient way for people who can't afford a car or maybe if you would like to not own a car to get around.

On another note I don't know why it's laughable for Madison to consider it? It shouldn't be top of the light rail funding recipient cities list, but it's good to think ahead. They have a growing population and the beltway there was already becoming a pain in the ass during rush hour when I last visited. There's no reason for cities to wait untill congestion becomes a huge problem before considering solutions. It's wise to be pro-active rather than re-active in cases where it takes a long time to secure funding.

[Harpoon]

Originally Posted by ryanj0

If Madison had a light rail, it would need to go throughout the city.. The one that was proposed was for downtown only and makes no sense..

It was a streetcar that was proposed a couple of years ago in Madison, not Light Rail. Streetcars have a totally different goal than light rail, they are primarily constructed to achieve redevelopment.

[Milwaukee City]

I think Madison is just too small for light rail, if Madison had a top notch bus system I don't think people would even think about light rail. However I feel like people only want light rail to feel like they live in a big city or to be more of a cosmo city. I feel it's more of a fashion statement for a city than a viable way of moving people around a city. It's like keeping up with the Jones way of thinking.

[Milwaukee City]

Maybe Madison needs regional bus service like we have in Milwaukee.

[ComfortablyNumb]

I actually think light rail would actually work very well in Madison, even if Madison isn't as big as many other cities.

For one, the existing rail line they'd use, if extended to the airport, would hit most of the important parts of Madison almost perfectly. This includes Capitol Square/Terrace, The Kohl Center/State Street/East Campus, the South Campus/Camp Randall, UW Hospital, and the now-thriving Hilldale area. One of the biggest differences, though, would be noticed on gamedays, with thousands of people not having to worry about parking, drunken driving, or all of the congestion downtown. It may also serve as an impetus for the redevelopment of the E. Washington corridor, one of the most sorely underdeveloped and high-potential sites in the whole state!

Furthermore, because Madison is kind of a long, narrow city (especially around the campus and Isthmus), a large amount of people would actually live within a short walk of a rail station. If not, they'd be within a very short drive of one, where there would undoubtedly be park-and-ride options available. Keep in mind, too, that Madison a "hot" city and is growing quite fast. It, along with its direct suburbs, added over 50,000 people since 2000. To expect a downtown that is smushed between two lakes to both grow AND remain accessible to such a quickly growing population is very unrealistic... especially considering the uncertainty of the future.

Of course, it all comes down to... would people ride it?

And that I'm not sure about.

[Boohovah]

Originally Posted by Harpoon

It was a streetcar that was proposed a couple of years ago in Madison, not Light Rail. Streetcars have a totally different goal than light rail, they are primarily constructed to achieve redevelopment.

No, it was both. One proposal was for a free lightrail around the isthmus and the other was for a straight light rail from west through the isthmus and out to the east end. The Mayor strongly supported the streetcar was all.