The Rest of That Glorified Sidewalk Story
Teri told you about the glowing prospects for the BeltLine and its economic impact on the city of Atlanta and the state.
That’s the shot. Now comes the chaser, courtesy of Reason.com:
Of course the project wouldn’t be complete unless the “glorified sidewalk”—as the Times called the Atlanta BeltLine project—was somehow connected to the failing streetcar system. The city’s budget for the Beltline project calls for $3 million in spending this year to design a 1.5 mile extension of the existing streetcar line. If it gets built, the extension is likely to cost $62 million.
“Some people made a lot of money building the $200 million streetcar line. They no doubt are eager to make more building other lines,” says Randal O’Toole, a transportation analyst for the libertarian Cato Institute. “But streetcars serve no viable transportation purpose except to spend money.”
The city claims the streetcar has generated $1.5 billion in economic activity, but an investigation by the Journal-Constitution found that many of those claimed benefits come from building projects that were already happening before the streetcar was approved.
Of course, the libertarian leaning Reason isn’t the only one to pan the Streetcar. But I imagine there could have been a heck a lot of of Uber fares paid for with the money used to build it.
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Jon Richards
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I don’t really want to give this counterpoint legs, but Mssr. O’Toole’s entire existence has been built around being AGAINST light-rail or streetcars. He’s written books, white papers, and given lectures on just that. And his enlightening analysis that “streetcars serve no viable transportation purpose except to spend money” is par for the course of the depth and insights he’s provided the majority of his bearded life.
While the streetcar is certainly not a project that should be deemed an immediate success, I think its too early to write its obituary.
I mean, if there was a road or bridge project that was over-budget or under-utilized, does that mean it makes sense to abandon all future road projects for fear of the same result? Probably not.
Besides, if we stopped investing in light-rail and smart growth practices as a society, then you might as well just start writing Mr. O’Toole’s obituary as well.
Without a semblance of a dedicated right-of-way involved the current implementation of the streetcar is not what I consider light-rail. It is just a glorified bus, only not as versatile and much, much more expensive.
Aw, man, the Streetcar. It has to start somewhere, and that’s where we are.
That said, when we were at the Rialto this weekend and were heading to Krog Street Market for dinner after the show, it sure would have been nice to have been able to take the streetcar there.
If Atlanta wants to “increase” economic activity by expanding the street car then let them use city funds, not state or federal taxpayer money.
While this is a somewhat fair point, as a city resident, it makes me say: “If OTP residents want to “increase” their economic activity, let them pay a toll to enter the city since they are using the city without paying their fair share of taxes.”