The Return of Streetcars

Posted by Kayla on Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Recently, several cities around the country have begun to look at the possibility of creating streetcar transportation systems. According to an article on Inhabitat, 22 US cities are considering instituting streetcar systems. Streetcars have appeal to several cities not only as a convenient, more environmentally friendly method of transportation, but also as a tool to spark economic development. The Inhabitat article states that in Portland, Oregon, which was the first city to build a streetcar system, “53 percent of the area’s downtown development has occurred along the streetcar line” since 1997.  In 2007 USA Today also looked at the reemergence of streetcars as a tool for green transportation and economic stimulus.

A Streetcar Name Forbes-Fifth

Imagine getting onboard a trolley at Market Square and being connected to:

Point Park University – Art Institute – Downtown – City and County Government – Duquesne University – Mercy Hospital – Palumbo Center – Uptown – Magee Hospital – Oakland – Carnegie Museum – Carnegie-Mellon University – Squirrel Hill – Chatham University – Frick Park – Penn Avenue – Homewood – Point Breeze – East Liberty – Shadyside – Shadyside Hospital – Hillman Cancer Center – University of Pittsburgh – Montefiore Hospital – Presbyterian Hospital – Petersen Event Center – Carlow University – Hill District – Consol Energy Center – Robert Morris University – and back downtown to Market Square.

5 Comments

  1. Been there done that!

    Comment by Jim Lillicotch — May 4, 2010 @ 5:55 PM

  2. I remember those days. The seats were hard, but you have to love the wood. We do need a more extensive LRT in this town, especially on the ith and Forbes corridor. A line that runs along 28 would be a dream.

    Comment by Robyn Brady — May 4, 2010 @ 6:00 PM

  3. What a great idea! Connecting Oakland to Downtown in a more permanent way is vital for our city.

    From the man who sparked the ideas for a commuter rail and city-wide LED lighting, I suspect that you can accomplish it, too! Did you submit a proposal to the Downtown Pittsburgh-Oakland Connector project? http://www.pittsburgh-oaklandconnector.com/

    Comment by Cara — May 5, 2010 @ 7:20 AM

  4. If Pittsburgh is to be a world class city, we need to start moving people, not cars.

    Comment by David Roth, AIA — May 8, 2010 @ 8:41 AM

  5. nice insight..

    “…..streetcars as a tool for green transportation and economic stimulus.”

    I agree to that thought!
    thanks for sharing :)

    Ella Malcolmson
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Custom Decks Colorado Springs

    Comment by Ella Malcolmson — April 14, 2011 @ 8:22 AM

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