While Louisville’s highway-expansion-fixed political leaders haven’t made any progress on alternative transportation since the T2 initiative failed a decade ago, the general population has. It seems every couple years, someone is coming up with a proposal for a streetcar system here or there or a light rail proposal or two. Now, though, there’s a very attractive and feasible proposal on the table called An Old Way Forward, which we featured here this fall.
The proposal, spearheaded by Porter Stevens, would link Downtown Louisville, SoBro, Old Louisville, and the University of Louisville with a modern streetcar system along Fourth Street. The proposal is similar to a $50 million, 1.3-mile streetcar line (pictured here) that opened a few years ago in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. (Porter’s proposal stretches approximately 2.5 miles.)
To further develop and generate support for a Louisville streetcar, Porter has organized the Louisville Streetcar Beer Summit, which takes place this Thursday, December 18 at 7:00p.m. at the Granville Inn, 1601 South Third Street. Here’s the event’s info from its Facebook page:
So far we’ve had some great online discussion about the idea of a U of L to Downtown Streetcar line. But do you know what would be even better? If we did it in person!
To that end, we will be holding a meet and greet event for streetcar supporters; an event where you will have the opportunity to mingle, debate and discuss issues relating to streetcars (and mass transportation in general) with other interesting and amazing people!
On a more serious note, we will also be discussing a future vision (for lack of a less dramatic phrase) for “An Old Way Forward.” How should our group proceed? How can we continue to promote and advocate for the idea of a U of L to Downtown Streetcar?
So far, this streetcar proposal has generated a lot of interest and is starting to gain traction online. Don’t miss this chance to help move the idea forward. Hope you can make it!
The Seattle streetcar went over budget and hasn’t met its ridership goals. Worse, it was funded at the expense of bus routes. (I know, YOU won’t do it that way, but when the money runs out it happens.) Seattle’s new light rail system, which fits into daily commuter needs, is doing much better. I’m struggling to think of usage cases for a U of L to downtown run that aren’t met by the 4th Street bus. I like the goal of creating lively neighborhoods, but serving high-rent districts with short-line streetcars can weaken the network of transit that people in less “desirable” neighborhoods rely on.
I agree, street cars are nice, but really the key need is a monorail or light rail option that can get around street-level gridlock.
we will NEVER have the population densities to lay down tracks. NEVER! This is Louisville! I wish we did, but we do not! Just run twice the number of present bus service runs and save the $1.1 billion for something else 🙂
IF CINCINNATI CAN DO, SO CAN WE!