A view from the future?

COMPUTER GRAPHIC of the proposed Sacramento-West Sacramento streetcar line, showing a streetcar heading west over the Tower Bridge. Plans for the project move forward.

By Steve Marschke

News-Ledger Editor

  City councilmembers last week heard an update on the streetcar line envisioned to reach from Sacramento’s convention center to West Sacramento’s growing civic center. The councilman remained enthusiastic about the project.

  Maureen Pascoe of the city’s redevelopment agency told the council that planners have opted to use “modern”-looking streetcars instead of cars designed to look old-fashioned.

  “The greatest drawback of a ‘replica’ car is they’re not as accessible as the modern car – the have higher stairs and a lower capacity,” she said. “Modern, low-floor vehicles allow easy roll-on and roll-off, not just for the disabled and elderly, but for people with kids and carts and bicycles as well.”

  The “modern” cars are also cheaper than the $1 million cost for each “replica” car.

  The city is now planning “streetscape” work to re-design West Capitol Avenue, and will leave space for the planned streetcar system. Pascoe explained how the streetcars are expected to be powered:

  “We tentatively envision an electric traction motor powered by an overhead line – it’s a simple, proven technique,” she said. “We can also look into alternative fuels and alternative propulsion systems like fuel cells and battery power.”

  Alternative power sources have been pushed by Councilman Johannessen, who also asked the city to look at a plan for a north-south streetcar connection within West Sacramento “at the same time.”

  Pascoe answered that she has indeed had a lot of community interest in an expansion of the planned service, running north-south as well as farther west on West Capitol Avenue.

  “People are saying, when are you doing the next extension?” said Pascoe. “But for us to add that additional alignment would probably set us back a year.”

  The project – with the current plan just to connect the two downtowns – is pegged at a $69 million construction cost plus $3.55 million per year in operating costs. Sacramento and West Sacramento will share the costs, and expect to contract with Regional Transit in Sacramento to operate the cars.

  Much of West Sacramento’s share is planned to be funded by parking revenues in the burgeoning riverfront areas, and by a hoped-for, voter-approved extension of a local sales tax increase. Property owners near the line will also be asked to pay a share, depending on how close their property is to streetcar service and what their land use zoning is. Streetcars are expected to increase accessibility – and value – for nearby businesses.

  West Sacramento has taken the lead on the project thus far. Sacramento has voiced its support, but not voted on streetcar financing.

  “If voters approve the sales tax measure (in West Sacramento in November) and we are unable for some reason to reach a financing agreement with Sacramento, we may have to switch gears. . . and do a north-south alignment in West Sacramento,” said Mayor Christopher Cabaldon.