Find Your Valentine
Slog
News & ArtsMonday, July 20, 2009
Transportation Love at First Sight
Posted by Paul Constant on Mon, Jul 20, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I rode the light rail yesterday, and I couldn't get a goofy smile off my face for almost the whole time. I'm a public transportation fan, but not a transportation wonk, so I'll have to defer to the experts on whether the light rail will do everything it should, or if it's the best use of transportation dollars and so on. But it exceeded my expectations by far.
I was surprised by how scenic the light rail was. Granted, it was a gorgeous day and you could see for miles anyway; the views of Mount Rainier were amazing. But the view of downtown, too, was at an angle I'd never seen before—from high above Sodo—and Seattle looks really grand from that side. But there are some moments once the train passes through Beacon Hill* where all you can see are trees all around and it feels like you're taking a train to the wilderness, and I expect those moments are only going to get eerier and better once the rain and gloom comes back.
I can't wait for the light rail to extend further north—I can't wait for more streetcars, either—but I'm glad it's going south first. Seattle's always been a north-minded city, and the light rail calls attention to some under-recognized neighborhoods. It's also going to be a drastic change for some residents: Somewhere near the end of the line, the train passed over a couple who were frolicking, naked, in their backyard pool.
I've been enjoying reading the terrified comments on the Seattle Times stories about the light rail: Crime is going to skyrocket! People are going to die in accidents on a daily basis! The light rail's jostling motion as it rides on the elevated portions of the rail wrenched my back! Looking back on those comments will be incredibly entertaining; everything about the old-fashioned, fearful Seattle Way started to change on Saturday, and it's about goddamned time.
* The Beacon Hill station is probably my favorite; it feels like a real subway station, and its dark, cool blue is an uncommon color for public transit. It appeals to the depressing, depressed Seattleite in me.
1
I've wrenched my back more than once on the bus. There's no way light rail would be half as rickety as your average bus.
2
The ride is good. And here's hoping that the light rail will bring much-needed foot traffic and money to the south end.
4
One doesn't really want one's light rail to run through forest, does one? It should run through forests of BUILDINGS, with people and shops in them.
5
Those comments are hilariously short-sighted. Like no one has ever died or wrenched there back or been a victim of a crime when riding in a car?? Or any other form of transportation, for that matter?
6
Fnarf @4, I have no problem with light rail running through forests (of trees) so long as its stops are not in forests.
The thing that concerns me now is whether, with the ST2 extensions now in the works, we've learned our lesson about trying not to run light rail through gauntlets of street crossings, especially through major downtowns.*
* For those of you who haven't already figured out, I'm talking Bellevue.
The thing that concerns me now is whether, with the ST2 extensions now in the works, we've learned our lesson about trying not to run light rail through gauntlets of street crossings, especially through major downtowns.*
* For those of you who haven't already figured out, I'm talking Bellevue.
7
Heh, I saw that couple, too. Near Tukwila, right?
I liked the playing cards on the tunnel walls at the Beacon Hill Station. What a trip!
I liked the playing cards on the tunnel walls at the Beacon Hill Station. What a trip!
8
@6: if only there was some way to run a train through a congested area of cross-streets so it didn't interfere with the streets. It's too bad there's no way to run a train under or over them.
9
@6 - I like tunnels too, when they make sense. But it's just not the case that street-level running can't work in downtown areas. Portland's been operating street-level light rail in downtown for over twenty years, and is just finishing construction on a second downtown street-level line, so I guess they decided it works for them..
10
An interesting take on the north-mindedness, and I agree. Thinking about that point for a second, it's really telling that it took this to get them to address MLK and neighborhoods to the south.
I also enjoy the idea that every station should be a P&R, because otherwise people won't ride! You know, because we can wedge parking garages in the middle of a city.
I think the Grocery Outlet Diamond Park is going to be gobbled up pretty quickly when the economy starts its ascent again. I predict Apartments-Over-Grocery Store or Apartments-Over-Quiznos.
I also enjoy the idea that every station should be a P&R, because otherwise people won't ride! You know, because we can wedge parking garages in the middle of a city.
I think the Grocery Outlet Diamond Park is going to be gobbled up pretty quickly when the economy starts its ascent again. I predict Apartments-Over-Grocery Store or Apartments-Over-Quiznos.
12
shabadoo @9, Portland's experience is the prime case study of why you don't run light rail at street grade through a downtown. How can you find that out? Try riding it. Going through downtown Portland, it's scarcely faster than a humble streetcar. And that's on the good days when you don't have huge crowds.
Then for comparison's sake, try riding a system like SkyTrain in Vancouver where they made a commitment to grade separation. The two systems are light years apart in terms of the rider experience, and not just in terms of sheer speed, but frequency and reliability.
I'm not one of these hard-core transit wonks who believe Central Link is fatally flawed for running at street level through the Rainier Valley. But it sure would have been if it had run at street level through downtown Seattle. And for my money, downtown Bellevue is a lot more like downtown Seattle than it is like MLK.
Then for comparison's sake, try riding a system like SkyTrain in Vancouver where they made a commitment to grade separation. The two systems are light years apart in terms of the rider experience, and not just in terms of sheer speed, but frequency and reliability.
I'm not one of these hard-core transit wonks who believe Central Link is fatally flawed for running at street level through the Rainier Valley. But it sure would have been if it had run at street level through downtown Seattle. And for my money, downtown Bellevue is a lot more like downtown Seattle than it is like MLK.
13
Fnarf, you mean a train that ran over traffic?!?!? Could you mean a Monorail?!? *DA DA DAAA!!!*
BTW, had it finally not been killed off it would be wisping people from Ballard to West Seattle in a short few minutes. Just thought I'd remind everyone of that.
Seattle: Where the Future is to be Feared!!
BTW, had it finally not been killed off it would be wisping people from Ballard to West Seattle in a short few minutes. Just thought I'd remind everyone of that.
Seattle: Where the Future is to be Feared!!
14
It's true; you can walk faster than the rail in downtown Portland.
If only there was SOME OTHER WAY to grade-separate trains besides a tunnel?
Downtown Bellevue has traffic like downtown Seattle, but pedestrians like MLK (i.e., hardly any). And the streets are ridiculously wide. They could fit an elevated track down the middle of Bellevue Way and hardly anyone would even notice it; you can barely see across it anyways.
If only there was SOME OTHER WAY to grade-separate trains besides a tunnel?
Downtown Bellevue has traffic like downtown Seattle, but pedestrians like MLK (i.e., hardly any). And the streets are ridiculously wide. They could fit an elevated track down the middle of Bellevue Way and hardly anyone would even notice it; you can barely see across it anyways.
15
@13: Ha, it killed itself off. Inept advocates, poor planning, poor leadership. Nickels did a good job on smothering the plan with a pillow. Even when faced with an ultimatum, they couldn't even justify their own existence.
It needs to go back to the drawing board because it sure as hell wouldn't have broken ground in time the way it was executed last time.
@12: I rode MAX day-in and day-out for months and months through downtown. Wasn't a big deal, train was almost always standing room only. It could be better, but most successful world systems started in a manner consistent with the scale of development. Even NYC had street-running streetcars with crowded streets. Of course, there were more living and unshielded obstacles then... how daring!
It needs to go back to the drawing board because it sure as hell wouldn't have broken ground in time the way it was executed last time.
@12: I rode MAX day-in and day-out for months and months through downtown. Wasn't a big deal, train was almost always standing room only. It could be better, but most successful world systems started in a manner consistent with the scale of development. Even NYC had street-running streetcars with crowded streets. Of course, there were more living and unshielded obstacles then... how daring!
16
The concept of "looking back" on internet comments from some later date seems as far-fetched as Bellevue ever getting light rail in this century.
17
My father and I rode the train yesterday. On the way back, we stopped off at Othello to a random Vietnamese sandwich place on the east side of the tracks. 2 sandwiches and 2 drinks for $9.50(!)
They asked if we came on the train. w00 w00!!
They asked if we came on the train. w00 w00!!
18
I was about 7 feet away from Paul on the ride yesterday, separated by a group of teenage girls who seemed energized by the whole thing, and yet at the same time miffed about their encounters with other riders. Paul did have a goofy look on his face.
19
Baconcat @15:
This is very much my point. Tunneling or going elevated through downtown Bellevue is consistent with the scale--and projected scale--of development. Bellevue has a real downtown with tall buildings and significant retail and business development (and emerging residential development).
If we build at street level through downtown Bellevue, we're always going to be kicking ourselves for our short-sightedness at making that ride that much longer, less frequent, and less reliable. If we tunnel through downtown Bellevue, believe me, no one's going to be kicking themselves for having spent the few hundred million extra dollars.
(And yes, I do realize the extra cost of building a tunnel through Bellevue cannot come from ST2 funds.)
@12: I rode MAX day-in and day-out for months and months through downtown. Wasn't a big deal, train was almost always standing room only. It could be better, but most successful world systems started in a manner consistent with the scale of development.
This is very much my point. Tunneling or going elevated through downtown Bellevue is consistent with the scale--and projected scale--of development. Bellevue has a real downtown with tall buildings and significant retail and business development (and emerging residential development).
If we build at street level through downtown Bellevue, we're always going to be kicking ourselves for our short-sightedness at making that ride that much longer, less frequent, and less reliable. If we tunnel through downtown Bellevue, believe me, no one's going to be kicking themselves for having spent the few hundred million extra dollars.
(And yes, I do realize the extra cost of building a tunnel through Bellevue cannot come from ST2 funds.)
20
I'm going to agree that I can walk faster than the MAX in downtown, Portland blocks are short and I have long legs. Still, MAX feels comparable fast when compared to the Portland Streetcar which seems to move cat scan slow. The Aerial tram is quick enough, but I have little need for it. I haven't tried the Westside Express Service (WES) yet, but it does connect to the MAX line.
21
i didn't ride it and i won't until it goes to the airport. for the most part, it goes nowhere near anyplace i ever go.
tukwila to benaroya took a co-worker 45 minutes this morning - she had to CHANGE TRAINS at 8:45 a.m.
tukwila to benaroya took a co-worker 45 minutes this morning - she had to CHANGE TRAINS at 8:45 a.m.
22
"Under-recognized neighborhoods" sounds really patronizing. Are over-recognized neighborhoods not worthy of the benefits of public transit?
23
"Under-recognized neighborhoods" sounds really patronizing. Are over-recognized neighborhoods not worthy of the benefits of public transit?
24
@23: Look around you at the veritable forest of bus stop signs. Then get on the Link and take a count in the areas around the Columbia City, Othello, and Rainier Beach stations. The results may surprise you.
25
I rode the light rail (is that what we're calling it? not "the train" or "link"?) with a few friends yesterday down to Columbia City to have brunch.
My favorite part was going past SoDo and seeing the container cranes down by Harbor Island out the window. It reminded me of the BART line in Oakland right before the trans-bay tube. It made me feel like I live in a real city and not a fake wooden one!
My favorite part was going past SoDo and seeing the container cranes down by Harbor Island out the window. It reminded me of the BART line in Oakland right before the trans-bay tube. It made me feel like I live in a real city and not a fake wooden one!
26
We obviously need to devote more taxes to free parking garages for the suburbanites who hate paying taxes and won't use it anyway.
I know, let's chop down all the trees so they can afford that.
I know, let's chop down all the trees so they can afford that.
27
I rode it with my family on Saturday, and today again. We live on Beacon Hill and rode the rail to Tukwila, then bussed to Sea-Tac to catch our 9:00 AM flight. It was fantastic. I love it, and love how "South End - Centric" it is.
28
I rode it yesterday. Had a great time, looked at all the people and what struck me was all the children. When they're all grown up and I"m like, 50, the system will be built out even further. I'm happy to have this one good looking line. My ride was fast, easy and, I suppose, if it weren't for all the queuing, it would have been convenient. Beacon Hill Station is my favorite so far. I rode from Columbia City to Westlake, shopped downtown, and then boarded at Pioneer Square, back to Columbia City. I look forward to the SeaTac extension and will make the most out of that new service. @27, I love the South End!
29
I don't know how slow the rail is in downtown Portland, but Portland is where is I realized how amazing intercity rail transit is: on a thousand mile bike trip, my friends and I loaded our touring bikes onto the train in the distant suburbs and lo, twenty minutes later, we were in Portland downtown. Yeah! Can't wait to ride Seattle rail....
30
Capitol Hill and UW stations are due 1016, Northgate and Bellevue by 2020 or 2023. But at present there's no plan for the half of the city west of 99, Balalrd or West Seattle, to be hooked into the system.
We need to "get back to the drawing board" asap to get on that. There's no reason to wait. there's lower real estate prices now, too.
Taking until 2030, 2035 or later, means taking forty years to build out the entire system in city. Half the commuters going downtown don't even drive, we will have les capacity with the viaduct gone and we have climate change to worry about, too.
Money is the issue. One must wonder at the wisdom -- financial, risk-wise, mobility-wise and climate-wise -- of buying into a $4 billion bored tunnel for two miles that serves autos mainly, and has no integration, synergy, meshing or utility for our emerging rapid transit system.
The planned tunnel nearly all for autos, it doesn't even have one little bus stop under downtown with one elevator shaft to go up -- a very bad design choice. Either it should be rethought to serve rapid transit in some way or deferred in favor of putting the priority on finishing the rapid transit network. Clearly, for a couple of billion you could add 12 stations or more along that 99 corridor and when those synergize with the light rail lines that are open and that are planned, we've got the system we need so that nearly everyone can have a choice of getting to work fast, without a car.
We need to "get back to the drawing board" asap to get on that. There's no reason to wait. there's lower real estate prices now, too.
Taking until 2030, 2035 or later, means taking forty years to build out the entire system in city. Half the commuters going downtown don't even drive, we will have les capacity with the viaduct gone and we have climate change to worry about, too.
Money is the issue. One must wonder at the wisdom -- financial, risk-wise, mobility-wise and climate-wise -- of buying into a $4 billion bored tunnel for two miles that serves autos mainly, and has no integration, synergy, meshing or utility for our emerging rapid transit system.
The planned tunnel nearly all for autos, it doesn't even have one little bus stop under downtown with one elevator shaft to go up -- a very bad design choice. Either it should be rethought to serve rapid transit in some way or deferred in favor of putting the priority on finishing the rapid transit network. Clearly, for a couple of billion you could add 12 stations or more along that 99 corridor and when those synergize with the light rail lines that are open and that are planned, we've got the system we need so that nearly everyone can have a choice of getting to work fast, without a car.
31
@13 for the half-as-expensive twice-the-capacity Monorail Would Have Been Here If Greg Nickels And Downtown Developers Hadn't Killed It win.
Sorry about your back.
Sorry about your back.
32
Nathaniel Irons @6: Fortunately, East Link planning calls for light rail to run at grade in Bellevue too.
Fortunately, this is not yet a done deal. It's too late to change our decisions about how light rail runs through South Seattle, but downtown Bellevue is a different story and there are still alternative plans on the table to run light rail grade-separated there. I believe the only alternatives being seriously considered are tunnels, not elevated.
The extra money to run light rail grade-separated through downtown Bellevue cannot come from the ST2 funds from last year's Prop. 1. The City of Bellevue would have to find some other funding source.
My two cents? Please, somebody some way find the extra money. Bellevue is enough of a hub for this region--and East Link is a vital enough corridor for this region--getting those trains off those streets is an investment we won't regret.
I tried to raise this issue with a couple comments on yesterday's light rail post.
Fortunately, this is not yet a done deal. It's too late to change our decisions about how light rail runs through South Seattle, but downtown Bellevue is a different story and there are still alternative plans on the table to run light rail grade-separated there. I believe the only alternatives being seriously considered are tunnels, not elevated.
The extra money to run light rail grade-separated through downtown Bellevue cannot come from the ST2 funds from last year's Prop. 1. The City of Bellevue would have to find some other funding source.
My two cents? Please, somebody some way find the extra money. Bellevue is enough of a hub for this region--and East Link is a vital enough corridor for this region--getting those trains off those streets is an investment we won't regret.
I tried to raise this issue with a couple comments on yesterday's light rail post.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
SL Letter of the Day: Daddy Loves Who? by Dan Savage
-
SL Letter of the Day: Life Sentence by Dan Savage
-
Crowdsourcing Uncut Police Video from the Dec. 12 Occupy Protest at the Port of Seattle by Eli Sanders
-
Slog Bible Study: Deuteronomy 21:10-14 by Goldy
-
The AP Is Reporting That Whitney Houston Is Dead by Paul Constant
-
The Onion Is on a Roll: "Iran Worried U.S. Might Be Building 8,500th Nuclear Weapon" by Charles Mudede
-
Announcing The Stranger's Tournament of Dunces! Who's the Dumbest Representative in the State House? by Christopher Frizzelle
-
Survey Says: Cyclists Would Rather Give Up Sex Than Their Bikes by Bethany Jean Clement
-
Stranger Tournament of Dunces, Match 3: Rep. Mark Hargrove vs. Rep. Norma Smith by Eli Sanders
-
Rachel Maddow Uncovered the Secret Ron Paul Strategy by Paul Constant
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (32) RSS