Seattle, Portland, and Dallas Open new Light Rail Lines

Image by Oran Viriyincy via Flickr

While I have been away over the last couple of months two cities have opened light rail extensions and my favorite city Seattle has finally opened its first light rail line.

Both Portland and Dallas opened new light rail lines last month and ironically their both referred to as the Green Line.

In Portland the new line goes from Clackamas Town Center to downtown and shares right of way with the existing Blue and Red Lines from the Gateway station to the Rose Quarter. From Rose Quarter through downtown the Green Line shares right of way with a rerouted Yellow line along the former bus mall.

For more information check out the Tri-Met website.

Dallas also opened their new green line and more information can be found on the DART website.

Dallas, like Salt Lake City is working on several new light rail lines and extensions that were approved by the voters a few years ago.

Finally light rail has come to Seattle. Some thought it would never happened but it has finally opened. Ridership has not been what it should be but it will be extended to SEATAC by the end of the year and that should boost ridership. Work is now progressive on the extension to the University of Washington.

For more information check out the Sound Transit website.