Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Dane County's desire for streetcars may eventually come to fruition.
The Madison Streetcar Campaign held a meeting Tuesday night to explore the possibility of streetcars in the downtown area. The campaign is a partnership between 1001 Friends of Wisconsin, Downtown Trolley and the Dane Alliance for Rail Transit—three companies concerned with Dane County's transportation future.
The campaign, which started in March, is undergoing a Streetcar Feasibility Study in order to get perspective from Dane County residents.
During Tuesday's meeting, President of Dane Alliance for Rail Transit Frederick Bartol talked about how the streetcar system could benefit Dane County. According to Bartol, figures show the population of Dane County increasing by approximately 120,000 people in the next 20 years.
""We're going to have to get creative on our means of transportation,"" Bartol said.
Along with plans that are well underway for a rail transit throughout Dane County, the streetcar system would help control local traffic and allow for transportation along the downtown Madison isthmus, Bartol said. A tentative map showcased tracks running along Park Street, University Avenue and East Washington Avenue, parts of downtown Madison where there currently are heavy traffic flows and many bus stops for pedestrians wishing to use the current Madison Metro bus line.
""We want a system that will integrate modes of Madison transportation and allow citizens to travel more efficiently,"" Bartol said, referring to both the streetcar and rail transit plans.
The proposal would carry between 50 and 125 standing passengers and would be accessible to wheelchairs and bicycles.
If all goes to plan, the campaign will submit its final report to the City Council in Spring 2007. According to the Dane Alliance for Rail Transit, even with city approval, Madison will not see the cars hit the streets for years to come, considering the multimillion-dollar operation the new transportation system entails.
