Sacramento Streetcar

Downtown / Riverfront Streetcar
Overview
StatusProposed
LocaleSacramento / West Sacramento
Termini
Websitewww.sacrt.com/sacramento-downtown-riverfront-streetcar-project/
Service
TypeStreetcar
OperatorSacramento Regional Transit District
Rolling stockSiemens S700 (planned)
History
Opened2030 (planned)[1]
Technical
Line length1.5 mi (2.4 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead
Route map

 Sacramento Valley Station Amtrak SacRT light rail
Green
 County Center (7th & I │ 8th & H)
 8th & K
Blue
7th & Capitol │ 8th & Capitol
GoldGreenBlue
N Street Platform
 2nd and Capitol
 Tower Bridge
 Sutter Health Park

The Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project[2] is a proposed 1.5-mile (2.4 km) streetcar line intended to connect West Sacramento to Sacramento's downtown business districts and the greater transportation network. The project is being undertaken by a consortium including the City of Sacramento, the City of West Sacramento, the Yolo County Transportation District, and the Sacramento Regional Transit District.

Planning

In 2008 West Sacramento voters passed Measures U and V, a raise in sales tax dedicated to streetcar funding.[3] At the time, the streetcar was envisioned as a 4.4-mile (7.1 km) line running from Midtown to West Sacramento.[4] While distinct from the SacRT light rail system, it would have shared some right-of-way and assets with that system; RT would likely also operate the line.[5] If built, the service was expected to attract 5,800 daily riders.[6]

The project received $50 million from the federal government for construction in May 2017.[7] By June 2017, $200 million in local, state, and federal grants had been secured to build the streetcar line. A special district that includes businesses close to the streetcar agreed to a tax to offset operating costs; it was expected to generate $50 million over 25 years.[8]

Plans stalled in 2019 as construction bids came in significantly higher than expected, with the lowest bid at $184 million, or $76 million higher than anticipated.[9] The Sacramento City Council dissolved its special-use district dedicated to streetcar maintenance in August 2019.[3]

After failure of the initial plan, the line was retooled into a shorter 1.5-mile (2.4 km) route running from Sacramento Valley Station to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento via Tower Bridge with one additional stop.[4] The revised alignment would have inbound streetcars turn south at 3rd Street after the Tower Bridge and then turn west along N Street to join the existing light rail tracks towards Sacramento Valley Station.[10] SacRT plans to operate the service using a single Siemens S700 car, the same vehicle that is used on existing SacRT light rail service.[11] As of 2026, the Public Comment Period has been expanded till the 12th of February. Initial construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2026, and completed in 2029.[11][12]

As of May 2026, SacRT plans to begin construction in 2027, and open the line by 2030.[1] Three workshops seeking public feedback about the line were held in June 2026.[13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Sacramento streetcar project across Tower Bridge gains momentum with 2027 construction target - CBS Sacramento". www.cbsnews.com. May 26, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  2. ↑ "STAFF REPORT" (PDF). SacRT. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Hamann, Emily (August 14, 2019). "Streetcar backers searching for alternative projects, uses for funds". Sacramento Business Journal. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Rhee, Foon (September 17, 2020). "Streetcar to nowhere?". Sacramento News & Review. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  5. ↑ Bizjak, Tony (April 26, 2016). "Sacramento streetcar proponents are back with pricier plan". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  6. ↑ Environmental Assessment/Initial Study and Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project (PDF) (Report). Sacramento Area Council of Governments. May 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  7. ↑ Khalil, Joe (May 2, 2017). "Sacramento Streetcar Project Gets $50 Million in Federal Funding". KTXL. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  8. ↑ Lillis and Bizjak (June 21, 2017). "A streetcar tax just passed in Sacramento". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  9. ↑ Bizjak, Tony (January 14, 2019). "Sacramento streetcar project in serious jeopardy as price tag soars". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  10. ↑ Haubner, Andrew (August 9, 2022). "SacRT approves new plan for West Sacramento streetcar line". CBS Sacramento. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  11. 1 2 "Sacramento Downtown Riverfront Streetcar Project". Sacramento Regional Transit. April 24, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  12. ↑ Clift, Theresa (September 15, 2020). "New light rail line over Tower Bridge between Sacramento, West Sacramento moves forward". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  13. ↑ TeSelle, Mike (May 26, 2026). "Long-discussed vision of a Tower Bridge streetcar project seeks your feedback". KCRA.
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