47 Bleicherweg, Zurich

Take a look at this "complete street" in Zurich, Switzerland. Wide sidewalks are sheltered from the elements; a curbside bike lane set off with yellow paint; a single lane for vehicles; a sheltered platform island for tram passengers; a lane for the tram; another tram platform; then two tram lanes; then the opposite sidewalk. Can you think of an American street with three streetcar lanes, a bike lane, and only one lane for cars?

A couple bright spots in VA's new budget

It's not all bad news for the Commonwealth under the new biennial budget passed by the General Assembly this week. As reported by the Times-Dispatch, there are a couple bright spots for transportation.

-The budget allows the state transportation board to steer money from construction projects to mass transit funding.

-Authorizes new funding for new rail service between Richmond and Norfolk, as well as funding for service between Lynchburg and Washington, D.C.

At this time I can't find any more details about what the first item may mean for transit. I hope it means that money allocated for road construction could move to transit funding, because every transit system in the state is suffering. HRT needs more money for their light rail project, perhaps that is what negotiators had in mind. But that short bullet doesn't make clear if other transit funding is being reduced and this is supposed to cover the shortfall.

Follow the link to a brief discussion of the budget at the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

About the budget

HRT's LRV security detail

 

Baltimore MTA Light Rail pics

My buddy Will visited Baltimore, Maryland recently and sent me these pictures of their light rail system. It is a one-line operation with 33 stations and short spurs to Baltimore's Penn Station, BWI airport and Glenn Burnie. The LRV's were manufactured by ABB Traction circa 1991 with a capacity of 85 seated and 91 standing passengers. Also check out the cool bicycle shaped bike rack.

USDOT announces $280 mil available for transit projects

U.S. Transportation Secretary Announces $280 Million for Streetcars
First Funds for Administration's Livability Initiative Will Create Jobs

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the availability of $280 million for urban circulator projects such as streetcars, buses, and bus facilities to support communities, expand business opportunities and improve people’s quality of life while also creating jobs.

The money represents the first batch of funding by the Obama Administration for its Livability Initiative, a joint venture of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“This represents a significant effort to promote livable communities, improve the quality of life for more Americans and create more transportation choices that serve the needs of individual communities,” Secretary LaHood said. “Fostering the concept of livability in transportation projects will stimulate America’s neighborhoods to become safer, healthier and more vibrant.”

Press release continues at DOT site

Long Beach looking at streetcars

From the Long Beach Press-Telegram:

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Second District City Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal envisions a downtown crowded not with cars, but people - pedestrians who arrive by bicycle, bus and, perhaps, even streetcars.

Electric-powered streetcars such as those used in San Francisco and Portland - connecting Long Beach's neighborhoods, fostering pedestrian movement and spurring development - are an integral part of Lowenthal's vision.

Last week, the council heard a report on a feasibility study that had been commissioned in 2007 about installing streetcars in Long Beach, and other city officials seem to be warming up to the idea.

"We are at a fantastic time in our city when more and more people want to leave their cars behind," Lowenthal said last week. "People are looking for ways to exercise their right to different modes of transportation."

making conservative arguments for transit