The First Hill Streetcar Project will connect downtown Seattle to Capitol Hill via the First Hill neighborhood using a streetcar line. It will replace the planned but unbuilt First Hill Light Rail station and is funded by the ST2 transportation ballot measure. The project team will conduct environmental review and design from 2009-2011, with construction and startup planned from 2011-2012. The initial capital cost is estimated at $120 million, with operating and maintenance costs projected to be $3.8-4.2 million annually. Key opportunities include shaping development along the route and serving transit connections to light rail.
1. First Hill Streetcar Project Preview
Yesler Terrace Community Association
June 2009
2. Background/Context
• ST2 Plan Provides for Capital Contribution to “a
new streetcar connector line between Downtown
Seattle, First Hill and the future Capitol Hill light
rail station.”
• ST2 Plan-$120M in 2007 Dollars
• ST2 Finance Plan-Expenditures 2010-2015
• Seattle Streetcar Network: First Hill Line Among
4 Promising Routes
3. Project Background & Purpose
• Replaces First Hill Light Rail Station
• Funded as Part of ST2 Ballot Measure
• Purpose is to connect light rail trips from
the north and south the health-care
oriented jobs and services of First Hill
6. Emerging Streetcar Typologies
Local Circulator Rapid Streetcar
Stop
Spacing 2-3 Blocks Up to .75 Miles
Average 8-12 MPH 12-15 MPH
Speed
7. Emerging Streetcar Typologies
Local City
Circulator Shaping
South Lake Union
Line
Central Line First Hill Line
University Line
Fremont-Ballard
City Line Rapid
Serving Streetcar
8. Key Opportunities
• Shape: Yesler
Terrace, Little
Saigon, First Hill,
Broadway, 12th
Avenue?
• Serve: First Hill &
Light Rail stations
9. Interlocal Agreement
• ST provides $120 M ($2007) capital and funds
up to $5.2 M annually ($2007) operations &
maintenance.
• City has all project management & delivery
responsibilities
• City responsible for cost overruns during
construction.
• City has option to reject bids, develop
supplemental funding plan prior to construction.
11. Initial Capital & O&M Estimates
• Total Development Cost: $120M in 2011
Dollars
• 20% Contingency + Allowances for
Unidentified Scope, Mitigation
• Funding is $120 M in 2007
Dollars=$140M=Additional $20M
Contingency
12. Initial Capital & O&M Estimates
• 2012 O&M Cost: $3.8 to $4.2 M
• Includes Depreciation
• Maximum Funding: $5.2 M in 2007 Dollars
• O&M Cost Estimate Assumes 20 Minute End-to-
End Time
• Travel Time/Reliability Is Critical
Alignment/Design Consideration
