ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: May 23, 2000
Author/Local: Doug Smith/7320

RTS No. 01223

CC File No. 5558

Council: July 25, 2000

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Downtown Historic Railway - Science World Extension

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council approve an eastern extension of the heritage street car line along First Avenue and the east side of Quebec Street, as outlined in this report at a cost of $485,000; funding to be provided on an interim basis from Revenue Surplus to be repaid from Engineering Basic Capital in the 2001 Capital Budget.

B. THAT Council instruct staff to begin the planning of a Western Extension for the Downtown Historic Railway.

POLICY

Council has established transportation priorities which encourage transit.

Council has in past supported projects preserving and promoting street car heritage, including the construction of the first two phases of this project.

PURPOSE

The report seeks the necessary funding to extend the demonstration street car line to Science World and the Main Street Sky Train Station. The report also seeks direction from Council to begin planning a western extension of the Historic Railway.

BACKGROUND

In the last four years the City has taken steps to build a demonstration street car line along the south shore of False Creek. On July 29, 1998 the new demonstration line was officially opened when the restored Interurban Car 1207 ran from 6th/Moberly to Granville Island. On July 15, 1999 an extension to Ontario Street and First Avenue was unveiled. On May 20, 2000, a parade was routed around Granville Island to kick off the beginning of another season for the Downtown Historic Railway.

In 1998 the Interurban 1207 carried 8,242 passengers. In 1999 Interurbans 1207 and 1231 carried 12,589 passengers. The main reason for this increasing success is the commitment of the Transit Museum Society (TRAMS) volunteers who gave in excess of 3000 hours in 1999. Each season the restored interurban cars have increased their profile and ridership and the 2000 season is expected to continue that trend.

The City also undertook a consultant review of the possible extension of the Historic Railway into the Downtown Peninsula. A recommended alignment was proposed serving Chinatown, Gastown, and the Waterfront Convention Centre with extensions to Stanley Park and the Roundhouse Community Centre. This base network could be developed for $40 million and projected ridership levels are high enough to cover the operating costs. Over the longer term, further extensions are viable to serve Yaletown, Downtown South, the West End and the Downtown Core.

In addition, plans are proceeding on the development of the southeast False Creek area as a sustainable community. A street car line serving this community is seen as an important transportation link to reduce the dependence on the automobile. Substantial elements of the current proposal can be incorporated into the long term operation.

Finally, the City has long considered the option of extending the street car line to the west. Preliminary review indicates that an extension west is viable but options will need to be explored before any detail planning can begin. The extension of the current street car operation represents a logical step in the building of an inner-city rail transit network.

DISCUSSION

The first phases of the street car demonstration project have worked toward the following objectives:

· Promote the use of rail transit as a means of meeting inner-city transportation needs for short, high frequency trips.
· Increase the awareness and support of the public on the benefits of street car transit.

·Utilize the rail right-of-way acquired for future transportation purposes.
· Celebrate our transportation heritage by operating Interurbans 1231 and 1207.

This report now recommends another extension of the demonstration project to serve a new station near Science World and the Main Street Skytrain Station. A connection at this location provides front door service to Skytrain with a continuous link to Granville Island. This extension will likely represent the last piece of the demonstration project as further work is more costly and would require full seven day service to recoup the investment. It should be noted that most elements of the demonstration line would be retained for a full service transit line.

Alignment
If approved, Phase III of the demonstration line will connect the Ontario Street Station with a station at the south east corner of Terminal and Quebec. The line would run down the north side of First Avenue, travel through a tram activated signal at First/Quebec and along the east side of Quebec Street to Terminal Avenue. This will place the Historic Railway directly in front of Science World and within a one minute walk from the Main Street Skytrain Station. Also located near this are parking lots, food outlets and a main bus line.(see Appendix A for alignment map)

This alignment will require the installation of a new traffic signal at Quebec Street and First Avenue and the removal of parking for two blocks. Both items are discussed in greater detail later in this report.

Operation
It is proposed that the operation continue as it has for the last 2 seasons with TRAMS taking on operational responsibility. There would be scheduled runs on the weekends during the summer and the ability to run outside of the schedule for special events or charters. Passengers would be able to board at any of the four stations and a round trip fare would cost $2.00. To date, the funds collected from the farebox and donations have offset the annual operating costs and it is predicted they will continue to do so.

Work Required
The work required will be similar to that required for Phase II and will include;

· pole and overhead line installation,
· track construction, and bonding,
· new traffic signal construction at Quebec/First, and
· station construction.

Neighbourhood Impacts
An open house and discussions with residents and businesses in the area will occur prior to finalizing the design of Phase III to ensure the streetcar will integrate well with the neighbourhood. Comments we have received regarding the existing line indicate strong support in the area for the Historic Tram Line from both businesses and residents.

Parking removal of approximately thirteen spots is required for the recommended extension. Traffic counts indicate that a lane could be closed to allow additional parking on the west side of Quebec Street between National and First Avenue. This would compensate for the lost spots but staff will discuss the issue with affected businesses and residents at the open house prior to finalizing the design.

Traffic Impacts
As the system expands it is likely that there will be outbound lines and inbound lines that will integrate with traffic, as do traditional streetcar systems. However, for this extension the trams must travel with and counterflow to traffic and therefore the lane must be segregated from traffic and closed. Consequently, the alignment presented here will require the closure of the east curb lane on Quebec Street from Terminal to First Avenue. This lane is currently used for eight parking spots but all of the adjacent businesses have on site parking so this option should not create a hardship.

Parking would also have to be removed for one block along the north side of First Avenue between Quebec and Ontario. Five parking spots currently exist on the north side and would be removed, noting that the south side parking would remain. The main business affected would be Mario's Gelati. Mario's has eighty underground spots in back of his shop and another ten would be created on Quebec just north of First Avenue. To further compensate this business, it is proposed that the short term parking in front of his shop be extended in length and hours of operation.

The installation of a full traffic signal at First Avenue and Quebec Street is warranted based on current vehicle counts. It will improve access to the businesses along First Avenue and will increase safety while allowing the tram to cross from First to Quebec and back.

Vancouver Indy
Vancouver Indy has reviewed the alignment option presented here and feel it would have little or no impact on the Indy operations but Molstar Sports must first take this proposal to C.A.R.T. for final approval. C.A.R.T.'s response is expected in August 2000.

Financial Implications
Funding for this project is available within the 2000 to 2002 Capital Plan total for Engineering Basic Capital. With the year 2000 Capital Budget already having been approved by Council without this project included, staff recommend funding on an interim basis be provided from Revenue Surplus, to be repaid from Engineering Capital as part of the year 2001 capital budget.

Funding allocation of $485,000 is proposed from re-allocated Engineering Capital for the recommended alignment. An additional $90,000 is for a new signal at First and Quebec and this signal is planned for next year and will be funded from the 2001 Traffic Signal Program.

When the system extends toward Chinatown, the station, alignment and embedded track can be integrated with little or no modifications or extra cost.

Rail Right of Way (ROW)
The City owns a rail right of way between Ontario and Quebec Streets that bisects a property owned by Translink and another owned by the City. The value and potential use of these properties is greatly affected by the presence of the Rail ROW.

The recommended alignment establishes a north and east link along First Avenue and does not require this ROW. Therefore, the City may be able to eventually sell the ROW to Translink and consolidate the City property.

While the future tram alignment east toward the False Creek Flats has not been laid out, the City does not own any rail ROW past Main Street and any future alignment into the flats will likely require the use of City streets.

Western Extension
Preliminary investigations indicate that an extension west of the Granville Island Station is feasible. There is currently a Starbucks Coffee House located on the original rail alignment but it appears that routing around this building is possible. A joint venture or land swap for this property will be investigated but is not absolutely required for this alignment.

A western terminus can not be planned in detail until some of the property issues west of Granville Street are resolved but with Council support staff will begin developing potential options and scenarios.

CONCLUSION

The General Manager of Engineering Services recommends an easterly extension of the Downtown Historic Railway using First Avenue and the east side of Quebec Street to connect with Science World and the Main Street Skytrain Station.

If supported by Council, options will be explored for a westerly extension to eventually provide connections to other transit routes and neighbourhood and tourist destinations.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver