First Hill Streetcar

This 2.5-mile double-track streetcar system required extensive coordination with area businesses, residents, and stakeholders in a dense urban environment. The alignment includes 14 stations, which begin in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square District near an NFL Stadium, travels past Union Station where many light rail connections can be made, and ends at Seattle Central Community College, passing many schools and a hospital along the way. The location required complex traffic control measures with clear signage and extensive work to minimize disruptions.

Construction included 27,846 feet of embedded track, with 22,080 square yards of historic trolley track removal. OCS was only installed for the uphill portion of the alignment, allowing for a hybrid streetcar to run on battery for downhill portions. Further work included 16 station platforms, two pedestrian plazas, 1.2 miles of dedicated bike lanes, dedicated traffic signals and turn boxes, five traction power sub stations, and 11,942 tons of AC paving.