I’ve been lucky enough to get a look at the new light rail proposal being brought before the city council tomorrow, and I’m very impressed. Above is an image I made showing all the proposed routes, based on the maps shown in the presentation. Short-term, the proposal wants to see a line from downtown to the Cultural District via 7th, downtown to TCU/Bluebonnet Circle via Fort Worth South, and a line to Texas Wesleyan. Other lines include the Trinity Uptown/Mercado/Stockyards line, the Six Points line, and an extension of the Cultural District line all the way to Ridglea Village.

The system is being called “ultra-light rail,” but it basically boils down to a modern streetcar system, such as that found in Portland, Oregon. The lines would be on roads, rather than a dedicated right-of-way, and would use modern-day streetcar equipment like the Skoda-manufactured vehicles used in Portland. It is important to stress that the system is meant to be used with modern vehicles – this is not supposed to be a touristy attraction using vintage hardware, but a serious transit tool for both visitors and residents. Modern cars will give very smooth rides and low floors for easy accommodation of bicyclists and the handicapped.

This is a fantastic proposal, and I’m very excited by it. I urge you out there to get in touch with your City Council representative, the mayor, and the press, and tell them all that you support this Fort Worth light rail proposal and want to see it happen as quickly as possible. Modern streetcars will provide a 21st Century transportation system for both residents and visitors, a true catalyst for large economic and urban developments, an attraction for tourists and conventions, an important tool to fight traffic and sprawl and improve air quality, and a stronger sense of place for our great city as it grows into the future. We are the 17th largest city in the US, and growing. Let’s start acting like the incredible place we are.

Don’t forget to check out the newest Cowtown Chronicles podcast, wherein Steve-o, Pete, Bernie, and myself discuss this new light rail proposal.