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Friday, November 25, 2005
Post Monorail: So now what?
After rejecting the monorail project, and in reflecting on how to serve the transit needs now left unmet, we may realize how much sense it made to try to build a monorail.
With the Seattle Monorail Project, a great idea was dragged down by deplorable execution. Now, long before its bills are paid off, it's suddenly time to ask: "Now what?"
It's easier to remember why we were compelled to build the monorail, now that we're confronted with the shortcomings of the alternatives.
So what are the remaining alternatives? As lined out Saturday by Post-Intelligencer reporter Larry Lange, it comes down to light rail (underground, elevated and at-grade), a new monorail, bus rapid transit or streetcars. All have their drawbacks, beginning with cost, particularly for grade-separated light rail or monorail. Bus rapid transit (BRT), to be truly rapid, must operate on its own dedicated guideway, which is also expensive.
Light rail or BRT can't serve West Seattle without building a new bridge or, at least, taking away existing vehicle lanes.
Streetcars are just that, cars that ride on rails on the street, competing with cross traffic and taking up vehicle lanes.
And how do we pay for any or all of those modes? The SMP had a set -- albeit inadequate -- revenue stream. Voters likely would need to approve any new tax scheme. Would they approve it and what would it be -- a new license tab tax, a sales tax, a property tax?
All aboard! Next stop: uncertainty.
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