Obama proposes $75 million grant to build Center City Connector streetcar line



less The Seattle streetcar offensive: The Center City Connector is the next project. It is designed to link up the (popularly known) South Lake Union Trolley (S.L.U.T) with the newly opened First Hill line. The Obama administration is proposing a $75 million grant for the project. The Seattle streetcar offensive: The Center City Connector is the next project. It is designed to link up the (popularly known) South Lake Union Trolley (S.L.U.T) with the newly opened First Hill line. The ... more Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Obama proposes $75 million grant to build Center City Connector streetcar line 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The Obama administration, in its proposed 2017 budget, has included a $75 million grant for the city's Center City Connector project, which would create a streetcar line through downtown Seattle, and money to help to extend light rail northward.

"With these critical grant funds, we can connect our South Lake Union and First Hill lines, and create a far-reaching streetcar system for Seattle," Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly said in a statement.

At the same time, the Obama administration is proposing what could be $1.1 billion toward building light rail from Northgate to Lynnwood.

Sound Transit said the Obama budget includes $125 million, which could be the first of several installments totaling $1.1 billion.

Trains are supposed to run along the Interstate 5 corridor from Northgate to Lynnwood with four new stations at Northeast 145th Street, Northeast 185th Street, the Mountlake Terrace Transit Center at 236th Street Southwest and at the Lynnwood Transit Center. The extension is scheduled to open in 2023.

"Thanks to President Obama including funding in his transportation package for Lynnwood Link, we are an important step closer to offering a 28-minute ride from Lynnwood to downtown Seattle, regardless of traffic or weather," Sound Transit Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine said in a statement.

The streetcar project would, however, prolong and extend the system of obstructions created by construction on the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement, the rebuilding of the Elliott Bay seawall and endless work on Mercer Street.

Still, a $75 million federal grant would cover more than half of the project's estimated $135 million cost.

The city has two streetcar lines, its South Lake Union route (popularly known as the South Lake Union Trolley or S.L.U.T.) and the newly opened route that climbs First Hill and proceeds north on Broadway.

The First Hill streetcar was originally supposed to open in 2014. (A famous memo in September 2014 announced, "Construction of the project is nearing completion.") But it faced repeated delays on getting cars into operation and made significant changes that slowed traffic on Broadway.

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray hailed the Obama grant proposal.

"With a dedicated lane for the new streetcar as well as connections to existing streetcar lines and transit hubs, the Center City Connector would deliver frequent, reliable service for thousands of riders every day," said Murray.

The project would also connect what the Seattle Transportation Department calls three "intermodal hubs" at Westlake Center, Colman Dock and King Street Station.

The construction of a streetcar line through downtown Seattle, if and when it goes ahead, will test Murray's promise to pursue a "new way" of infrastructure construction that involves less disruption.

During construction of the First Hill line, the Transportation Depatment was taken to task by The Seattle Times for disruption of International District shopping and celebration during the lunar new year.

The Department of Transportation is currently taking heat for the sprawling mess it has created along 23rd Avenue, the main north-south arterial through the Central Area.

The "road diet" project has hurt access to minority-owned businesses, created congestion, and routed more traffic along Martin Luther King Ave. as it passes by Thurgood Marshall Elementary School.

Oversight by the Seattle City Council, weak to nonexistent during recent screwups, e.g. the Bertha mess, would also be tested by a major downtown construction project.