Resurrecting Red Hook's Trolley Tracks
There’s been some talk in recent years about the possibility of creating trolley lines to service areas of Brooklyn and Queens that are hard to access by public transportation, but now the idea is officially on the table. According to NY1, at a campaign event earlier this month, Mayor Bloomberg said that he is interested…
There’s been some talk in recent years about the possibility of creating trolley lines to service areas of Brooklyn and Queens that are hard to access by public transportation, but now the idea is officially on the table. According to NY1, at a campaign event earlier this month, Mayor Bloomberg said that he is interested in trolley service, and his team is currently investigating the feasibility of using the city’s old trolley tracks, starting in Red Hook. Bob Diamond, president of the Brooklyn Historic Railway Association, is enthusiastic about the idea, saying: “A light rail or a streetcar line usually costs about one-twentieth of what a subway line would cost. And they’re outside, and they use existing streets, so there’s no right-of-way acquisition and the track can be built very quickly.” Now the Department of Transportation will study the feasibility of a light rail or trolley system in Red Hook, research that is financed with about $300,000 in federal funding and should begin this year.
Trolleys Could Make a Comeback in Red Hook [NY1]
Trolleys Coming to Red Hook? [Cobble Hill Blog]
Could Streetcars Return to Brooklyn? [Brownstoner]
Streetcars for Brooklyn: a New Life? [Transport Politic]
a little too Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and his land of make believe for my taste.
*rob*
Parden the ignorance, but couldn’t all the benefits of the trolley be achieved by the B61 bus that currently goes down Van Brunt and gives you connection to other buses that go down Union (B71) or Atlantic (B63). Could the money not be better spent on improving these bus lines?
Wish they would do light rail in other parts of the city- its a great idea and for the price of one short underground subway line in Manhattan we could have seriously upgraded public transportation in the outer boroughs.
Didn’t they do this a few years ago? If I remember correctly, the MTA and Bob Diamond had a falling out and they ripped up all of the tracks that had been laid.
This is still a brilliant idea, and Atlantic would be awesome with streetcar tracks running up it. Jay/Smith St is even wide enough to accommodate it heading into downtown.
i went down there a few weeks ago (http://www.onmontague.com/2009/08/i-new-york-old-fashioned-trolleys.html) and it was really fun to see the old trolleys. I would LOVE to see them working again, just i wisht ehy used cute old fashioned ones!
I think I saw this in San Francisco a few years back (on way to Fisherman’s Pier). Should work.
***Bid half off peak comps***
If there was any better use of “Stimulus Funds” I have yet to hear of it. This would be one of the only truly “Stimulating” projects anyone has come up with yet.
I love this idea. Besides being much needed, it makes smart use of existing infrastructure and could really bring some old school charm to the area.
Totally in support of this idea, the benefits are powerful and numerous! Bring on the Trolley! Right down Van Brunt to Fairway would be beyond excellent.