The Site / The Fight

by Yonah Freemark
yfreemark (at) thetransportpolitic (dot) com

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Categories

Archives

Planned Light Rail Systems

Atlanta | Austin | Baltimore | Boston | Calgary | Charlotte | Cleveland | Dallas | Denver | Edmonton | Fort Lauderdale | Hamilton | Hampton Roads | Honolulu | Indianapolis | Jacksonville | Kansas City | Los Angeles | Memphis | Minneapolis | Monterey Bay | Montréal | New Jersey | Orlando | Ottawa | Philadelphia | Phoenix | Pittsburgh | Portland | Raleigh | Sacramento | St. Louis | Salt Lake City | San Diego | San Francisco | San Jose | Seattle | Toronto | Washington | Waterloo

Note that projects currently under construction are noted on that page. Use the feedback form at the end of the page to suggest updates.

  • Baltimore
    • Red Line LRT – 2015
      • 14-mile new line, running from Baltimore County east into Baltimore City, along Waterfront, past Patterson Park through Canton, and to Bayview Medical Center; connections with existing Metro, MARC, and north-south LRT
      • Partial subway running through downtown sections, street-running elsewhere.
      • Projected 40,000 daily riders
      • Construction likely to begin in 2012
      • Relevant articles on the Transport Politic: Baltimore Fight on Red Line Plan, 27 April 2009; Maryland Governor Support Light Rail for Red and Purple Lines, 5 August 2009.
  • Boston
    • Green Line Extensions – 2014
      • 5-mile total proposed westerly extensions of existing Green Line LRT service would extend route from existing Lechmere terminus into Somerville and Medford
      • $932 million cost, but no guaranteed funding, applying for New Starts aids in 2010
      • Two branches – one to Union Square along Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line; another to Mystic Valley Parkway along Lowell Commuter Rail Line, via Gilman Square and College Avenue
  • Calgary
    • Northwest LRT Extension – 2014 – FUNDED
      • Project extends west from existing Crawfoot Station to Rocky Ridge/Tuscany
      • $120 million (Canadian) cost
      • Construction likely to begin in 2012
  • Charlotte
    • Blue Northeast LRT – 2016 – FUNDED
      • 11-mile extension of existing Blue Line; from Uptown to UNCC
      • Projected daily ridership of 17,500
      • Construction likely to begin in 2011
      • $1 billion construction cost
      • Relevant article on the Transport Politic: Charlotte Runs Out of Tax Funds, 5 February 2009.
  • Cleveland
    • Blue Line Extension LRT – 2016
      • Extension could run from existing terminus at Shaker Gateway to new station at Highlands Gateway, via Northfield Road, Harvard Crossing, and Enterprise Park, though other corridors also possible
      • Would serve major employment zones in southeast area of the Cleveland region
  • Fort Lauderdale
    • Central Broward Transit – 2022
      • 21 mile system, linking Fort Lauderdale with airport and Sunrise, via Davie and Plantation
      • Projected daily ridership of 26,000
      • $1.25 billion cost
  • Hamilton
    • King/Main Light Rail
      • 8.8-mile route, with 17 stations, stretching from Eastgate to McMaster
      • Trains would run in dedicated lanes and have signal priority
      • $784 million cost
      • Other routes throughout the downtown also being considered over the long term
  • Hampton Roads
    • Virginia Beach Light Rail Extension
      • From Newtown Road terminus of light rail currently under construction to Virginia Beach oceanfront, along inactive railroad right-of-way
    • Peninsula Light Rail Extension
      • Connects Christopher Newport University with Huntington Pointe, via Downtown Newport News and airport
    • Long-Term Light Rail Plans – by 2035 — not currently funded
      • From Downtown Norfolk to Airport and Naval Station along Military Highway/I-64 – 2026
      • From Downtown Norfolk to Naval Station (possible streetcar) – 2026
      • From Eastern Virginia Medical School to Midtown and Downtown Portsmouth – 2035
      • From Downtown Portsmouth to Harbour View, via Chesapeake and Suffolk – 2035
      • From Lightfoot to Downtown Newport News – 2035
      • From Downtown Hampton to Downtown Newport News – 2035
      • From Newport News and Hampton, across Harbor to Norfolk – 2035
  • Indianapolis
    • Northeast CR (DMU)
      • 18.3-mile new line would run between Downtown Indianapolis and 146th Street in Noblesville, via northeast Indianapolis and Fishers
      • 4,900 projected daily riders
      • $691 million cost
  • Jacksonville
    • First Coast CR (DMU)
      • 90.5-mile new routes from Jacksonville Transportation Center to the north, southwest, and southeast along existing freight tracks
      • Three basic corridors being considered:
        • North – from Downtown Jacksonville north to Yulee (22.8 miles)
        • Southwest – from Downtown Jacksonville southwest to Glen Cove Springs (29.3 miles)
        • Southeast – from Downtown Jacksonville southeast to West Augustine/Atlantic Ocean (38.4 miles)
      • $543 million cost ($197 North Line; $158 Southwest Line; $172 Southeast Line)
  • Kansas City
    • City LRT
      • 14-mile new line would run north-south from Kansas City North to Country Club Plaza, via North Kansas City, River Market, Downtown and Union Station
      • Dozens of miles of extensions were planned in all directions for the systems
      • $815 million cost
      • The project, funded by a 3/8-cent sales tax, was rejected by voters in November 2008; as a result, the future of this system remains a bit up in the air
      • Relevant article on the Transport Politic: Kansas City Abandons Light Rail, 17 February 2009; Kansas City’s Next Referendum?, 24 April 2009.
  • Memphis
    • Regional Rail LRT
      • 8.2-mile new line from Downtown Memphis to Memphis Airport, via southeast Memphis
      • 30,000 projected daily riders
      • $404 million cost
      • Project remains under review and funding has not yet been secured
  • Minneapolis
    • Southwest LRT – 2015 – Partially Funded
      • New line would travel from Downtown Minneapolis to Mitchell, via Uptown; connections to Central and Hiawatha LRTs would occur either at the MultiModal Station or at Nicollet Mall
      • Projected 23,000 to 28,000 daily riders
      • Project is still being studied, so exact route has yet to be defined
      • Construction likely to begin in 2012
      • Relevant article on the Transport Politic: Better Options for Minneapolis’ Southwest Corridor, 11 August 2009.
    • Bottineau Transitway – 2016 (could also be BRT)
      • Study area extends between downtown Minneapolis and the northwest suburbs, including Crystal, Rogers, and Albertville
      • Right of way for transit line would go to either Maple Grove or Brooklyn Park
      • Most likely line would extend 12 miles to Maple Grove with daily ridership of 19,500 and construction costs of $885 (in 2016 dollars)
      • Would connect at Minneapolis transit hub to other light rail corridors and Northstar commuter rail
  • Montréal
    • Highway 10 LRT – 2014
      • 8-mile new line, running from Downtown Montreal to Chevrier, via Ile des Soeurs and over the St. Lawrence River
      • 60,000 projected daily riders
      • $1 billion (Canadian) cost
      • Construction is likely to begin in 2010 if funding can be secured
  • New Jersey
    • Passaic-Bergen CR (DMU) – 2012 – Partially Funded
      • Route connects Bergen and Passaic Counties along an existing railroad ROW, from Hackensack to Hawthorne, via Elmwood Park and Paterson; connection to NJT Main Line Station at Hawthorne
      • $156 million cost
      • Construction apparently delayed
    • Northern Branch LRT or CR (DMU)
      • New line would run north-south from current terminus of Hudson-Bergen LRT North Bergen Terminus to Tenafly, via Palisades Park and Englewood
      • 8,000 to 24,000 projected daily riders
      • $540 to $865 cost
      • Relevant article on the Transport Politic: New Links in North Jersey, 14 May 2009.
    • Hudson-Bergen LRT Extensions – Partially Funded
      • Two planned extensions to existing waterfront LRT line:
        • An extension west from existing West Side Avenue Station to new development along Hackensack waterfront
        • An extension west from existing Tonnelle Avenue Station (in North Bergen) to new development at Xanadu/Meadowlands
  • Orlando
    • Central Florida CR (DMU) – 2011 (Phase I) / 2013 (Phase II) – Partially Funded
      • 61-mile new line running north-south from Poinciana to DeLand, via Kissimmee, Orlando, Winter Park, and Longwood
      • Phase I is 31 miles from DeBary to Sand Lake Road; Phase II is Salt Lake Road to Poinciana and DeBary to DeLand
      • $615 million cost
      • 7,400 projected daily riders
      • The Florida Legislature has made it difficult for this system to proceed because it has repeatedly delayed the effort; as a result, the project will not necessarily pull through; however, it is not dead
      • Construction on Phase I was supposed to begin in 2008 and Phase II in 2011; presumably, when the Legislature revises its previous decision on the project, construction could begin in 2010
      • Relevant articles on the Transport Politic: Rail in Florida Advances, 5 February 2009; SunRail and Florida HSR Promoted as Inexorably Linked, 11 April 2009; Florida Convenes Special Legislative Session for SunRail, Tri-Rail, and High-Speed Rail, 4 December 2009.
    • North-South LRT
      • 22-mile new line running north-south from Altamonte Springs to South Orange County, via Orlando
      • $1.3 billion cost
      • No funding and no set timeline for this project
    • OIA Connector LRT
      • 14-mile new line running east-west from Orlando International Airport to International Drive (theme parks)
      • $617 million cost
      • No funding and no set timeline for this project
  • Ottawa
    • Light Rail Link – 2018
      • 7.8-mile new line, running from Tunney’s Pasture to Blair Station, through downtown, mostly along the existing bus transitway corridor
      • New 2-mile long tunnel to be constructed underneath downtown and the University of Ottawa
      • Thirteen stations
      • $2.1 billion (Canadian) cost
      • Construction is likely to begin in 2010 if funding can be secured
  • Phoenix
    • Northwest LRT – 2012 (Phase I) / 2017 (Phase II)
      • 3.2-mile extension north of existing Central LRT line to Dunlap Avenue (Phase I); 1.4-mile further extension north (Phase II)
      • $300 million project
      • Construction likely to begin in 2010
    • Tempe South LRT (possibly BRT or streetcar) – 2015
      • Corridor, still being studied, heads south from University Drive/Rual station on the Central LRT line (in Downtown Tempe) to Chandler Boulevard
      • Construction likely to begin in 2012
    • Central Mesa LRT (possibly BRT) – 2015
      • Corridor, still being studied, heads due east from current Central LRT line terminus in Mesa at Sycamore/Main Street; new line would extend to Power Road
      • Construction likely to begin in 2012
    • Glendale (undetermined vehicle type) – 2017
      • Corridor, still being studied, heads due west from future Northwest LRT extension and into the city of Glendale
      • Construction likely to begin in 2014
    • I-10 West LRT (possibly BRT) – 2019
      • Corridor, still being studied, heads east from Central LRT line’s Washington/Central Station in Downtown Phoenix and along the route of I-10
      • Construction likely to begin in 2016
    • Northeast Phoenix (undetermined vehicle type) – 2025
      • Corridor, still being studied, heard northeast from Central LRT line’s Indian School/Central Station in Northern Phoenix and towards Paradise Valley
      • Construction likely to being in 2022
  • Pittsburgh
    • Airport Corridor (undetermined vehicle type)
      • New line between Downtown and the Airport – exact route undetermined
    • Eastern Corridor (undetermined vehicle type)
      • New line between Downtown and East Pittsburgh and the suburbs
  • Sacramento
    • Downtown Natomas Airport LRT – 2014 (Phase I)
      • 13-mile new line, running from Downtown Sacramento Valley Station (existing) northwest to the Airport, via South and North Natomas
      • Construction already begun on the first segment, through the River District
    • South Corridor LRT – 2012 – FUNDED
      • 4.3-mile extension of existing line runs from Meadowview Station southeast to Cosumnes River College Station
      • 11,270 projected daily riders
      • $270 million cost
      • Construction likely to begin in 2010
  • St. Louis
    • A number of unfunded projects that have been proposed over the years but all lack political and financial support at the moment:
      • St. Claire LRT Extension
        • 5.3-mile extension of existing MetroRail service from Shiloh-Scott Station to MidAmerica Airport
      • Daniel Boone
        • 9.1-mile extension from Clayton to Westport
      • Metro South
        • Extends the Blue Line into South County to Butler Hill Road
      • Northside-Southside
        • Would create a new line running from downtown north to Goodfellow and St. Louis Community College, and south to Bayless and Butler Hill
      • Madison County
        • 21-23 mile extension from East St. Louis to Alton or Edwardsville
  • Salt Lake City
    • Draper LRT – 2015 – FUNDED
      • Extension of existing north-south light rail line to Draper City, via Sandy City
      • Construction likely to begin in 2010
  • San Diego
    • Mid-Coast Corridor Trolley Extension – 2014-2016
      • 11-mile extension of existing San Diego trolley line, running from Old Town Transit Center to UCSD University Center, principally along existing Coaster line, via Claremont and Pacific Beach
      • 8 new stations, connection to new “super loop” around UCSD
      • Phase I to Gilman Drive (3 stations), Phase II to University Towne Centre Transit Center (5 stations)
      • $1.2 billion cost
  • San Francisco
    • MUNI Central Subway LRT – 2016 – Partially Funded
      • 1.7-mile extension of existing T-Third Line LRT operation from current Caltrain Terminal Station at 4th and King Streets; line would continue northwest on 4th Street, before tunneling underground beginning at the I-80 Viaduct, followed by turning north on Stockton Street; connections to all MUNI Metro and BART lines on Market Street at Powell Street Station
      • 78,000 projected daily riders (including Phase I, the 5-mile surface T-Third LRT line on the city’s waterfront already built)
      • $1.29 billion cost
      • Construction is likely to begin in 2010
    • SMART CR (DMU) – 2013 – FUNDED
      • 70-mile new line running north-south from Cloverdale to Larkspur in Sonoma and Marin Counties, via San Rafael, Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and Windsor; connection to San Francisco-bound ferry at Larkspur
      • 5,300 projected daily riders
      • $440 million cost
      • Construction likely to begin in 2011
    • eBART CR (DMU) – 2014
      • 10-mile east-west new line running from Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station to Antioch; cross-platform connection to BART at a new platform just east of Pittsburg/Bay Point
      • 10,100 projected daily riders
      • $523 million cost
      • Construction likely to begin in 2010
  • Seattle
    • Link LRT North Expansion – 2020-2023 – FUNDED
      • 12.5-mile extension to (currently under construction) Central Line from University of Washington to Lynnwood, via Northgate
      • Construction is likely to begin in 2016
    • Link LRT East Expansion – 2020-2021 – Partially Funded
      • 14.5-mile extension to (currently under construction) Central Line from Downtown to Overlake Transit Center, via Mercer Island and Bellevue
      • Construction is likely to begin in 2016
      • Relevant article on the Transport Politic: Seattle’s East Link: I-90 or SR520, 23 October 2009.
    • Link LRT South Expansion – 2020-2023 – Partially Funded
      • 7-mile extension to (currently under construction) Central Line from SeaTac International Airport to Redondo/Star Lake
      • Construction is likely to begin in 2016
  • Toronto
    • Transit City LRT Lines – Partially Funded
      • Seven new lines, designed to reinforce transit interconnectivity within the city of Toronto:
        • Don Mills Road Line – 2016
          • 11.2-mile north-south new line, from Steeles Avenue in North Toronto to Bloor-Danforth Subway Downtown, along Don Mills Road
          • Construction likely to begin in 2013
        • Etobicoke Finch West Line – 2013
          • New line runs from Yonge Street in North Toronto west to route 27 in Northwest Toronto
          • $880 million (Canadian) cost
          • Construction likely to begin in 2010
        • Eglington Crosstown Line – 2015
          • 19.3-mile new line runs east-west from the existing Kennedy Station to Martin Grove Road, with a potential extension to the Toronto Airport, along Eglington Road
          • $2.3 billion (Canadian) cost
          • Construction likely to begin in 2010
          • Relevant article on the Transport Politic: $9 Billion for Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown and More, 2 April 2009.
        • Jane Line – 2017
          • 9-mile new line runs north-south from the Bloor-Danforth Subway in West Toronto to Steeles Avenue in Northwest Toronto, along Jane Street
          • $800 million (Canadian) cost
          • Construction likely to begin in 2014
        • Scarborough-Malvern Line – 2018
          • 9.3-mile new line would run from Kennedy Station on the existing Bloor-Danforth Subway and Scarborough RT northwest to northern Scarborough and Malvern
          • $500 million (Canadian) cost
          • Construction likely to begin in 2014
        • Sheppard Avenue East Line – 2012
          • New line runs east-west from existing Don Mills Subway Station to Meadowvale Road, along Sheppard Avenue
          • $555 million (Canadian) cost
          • Construction likely to begin in 2010
          • Relevant article on the Transport Politic: Toronto Gets Funds for Another LRT Line, 18 May 2009.
        • Waterfront West Line – 2015
          • Two segments, from Union Station to Exhibition Place and from Park Lawn Road to Long Branch, running along the city’s waterfront
          • $125 million (Canadian) cost
          • Exact routing has yet to be determined
          • Construction likely to begin in 2015
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Waterloo Region
    • Central Transit Corridor LRT – 2014
      • C$790 million project
      • Phase I would connect Waterloo and Kitchener
      • Phase II would connect with Cambridge
      • Would be integrated with a new BRT line as well
      • Relevant article on the Transport Politic: Waterloo Plans LRT by 2014, 2 July 2009.

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