Streetcars vs. Lightrail for Atlanta Beltline? (Commerce, Payne: movers, college, to live in)

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Oleg Bach

Here in Toronto - our eastern extention of the subway line consists of "light rail" - When you get on if feels as if everything has shrunk...it's like being on a rickety toy train// Street cars light subway cars and common rail way cars are heavy rail - they last for ever - they are safer...and bigger..why bother with these toy trains when you can have a real one - Think big or go home...It's usually about who is bidding for the contract - heavy rail builders are more established and tried and true in time - It might be that light rail manufacturing companies might give a bid that is millions less..but look what you get...smaller - less effective ....and poorly made machines..better to spend the money on the bigger vehicles.

Our government doesn't have the stomach to bankroll many HRT systems here in the States. Things are obviously different in Canada.

[shivtim]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

According to a relatively recent article in the AJC, "the goal is to substantially complete the outer, 22-mile Beltline corridor in a decade."

My understanding is that ARC's Plan 2040 has the transit component of the Beltline being built in the last decade of the plan (2030 to 2040). That doesn't take into account any possible funding from next year's referendum, or any other possible funding sources.

Really it's anyone's guess when, if, and how much beltline transit will be completed.

[cqholt]

The Northeast and Southwest sections of the BeltLine are on the transportation tax for 2012. An in-street section along North Ave will connect the 2 sides and connect to the existing North Ave station. A new infill station will be built on the Green Line south of Bankhead Station for a connection a westside connection. The southwest section will connect to Oakland City Station on the Red/Gold Lines. Therefore the BeltLine will provide connection to existing transit system while providing transit to new areas.

[MDAllstar]

Originally Posted by shivtim

My understanding is that ARC's Plan 2040 has the transit component of the Beltline being built in the last decade of the plan (2030 to 2040). That doesn't take into account any possible funding from next year's referendum, or any other possible funding sources.

Really it's anyone's guess when, if, and how much beltline transit will be completed.

I sure hope this is wrong. What a huge let down that would be for Atlanta. 2030-2040!!?? I don't think the citizens will tolerate that.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by MDAllstar

I sure hope this is wrong. What a huge let down that would be for Atlanta. 2030-2040!!?? I don't think the citizens will tolerate that.

It's not a matter of tolerating it. We'd love to have it done yesterday.

But who's going to pay for it?

2040 is not that far away when you think about it anyway. I personally won't get to ride on the Beltline but my grandchildren and possibly my children will.

[MDAllstar]

Originally Posted by arjay57

It's not a matter of tolerating it. We'd love to have it done yesterday.

But who's going to pay for it?

2040 is not that far away when you think about it anyway. I personally won't get to ride on the Beltline but my grandchildren and possibly my children will.

2040 is 30 years from now. That is a very long time. If Atlanta takes all the money they plan to spend on roads over the next 30 years and puts it into transit, they can build 50 miles of new light rail. Maybe not heavy rail but light rail is doable. That probably won't happen though becuase people will complain about the traffic and lobby for roads instead of just giving up there cars altogether.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by MDAllstar

2040 is 30 years from now. That is a very long time. If Atlanta takes all the money they plan to spend on roads over the next 30 years and puts it into transit, they can build 50 miles of new light rail. Maybe not heavy rail but light rail is doable. That probably won't happen though becuase people will complain about the traffic and lobby for roads instead of just giving up there cars altogether.

30 years will fly by before you know it! You can't build a great city overnight.

[1lifealex]

I read that Sreetcars on the beltline will run every 10 min, the S70 streetcar that will be used can carry up to 195 people, thats 1170 people an hour one way, is that a good thing or not?

[brownhornet]

I have to agree, 30 years is a joke.

[1lifealex]

I don't know where you people are getting 30 years from the low end was 10 years and the high end was 25 years we are 2 year in to it now so 23 more years at most.