70 replies to this topic

[rriojas71]

I know the suburbs are for some people, you know different strokes for different folks, but I have lived in a few places in the US and I was always in the city proper and within 3 miles from downtown for most of my life.  I'm 50 and I lived in Euless for 1 year when I moved back to DFW but I told my partner that we would have to move closer to DT FW or DT Dallas if we were going to continue our relationship.  I tried but I just couldn't do it.  I guess I am a masochist because I like the grime.

[Austin55]

ST has an update on this out: https://www.star-tel...e266076156.html

Summary, lots of studies and decisinos still to be made, including what mode to use for transit (IE rail, BRT, etc). Construction not expected to start until 2026.

[Dylan]

Disclaimer- I don't know if the following was discussed in the paywall article above.

 

---------------

 

Trinity Metro CEO Richard Andreski was recently on Mattie Parker's "Go Time" podcast.

 

At about 5:37, Mayor Parker brings up the East Lancaster corridor redesign. Andreski responded by saying they are "looking at potentially... dedicated lanes in some areas."

 

Really?!

 

Lancaster is an incredibly wide corridor that can easily accommodate two transit lanes, a median on each side for turn lanes/stations, two traffic lanes in each direction, bike lanes, and wide sidewalks.

 

But, we have leaders with a small town mentality that are unwilling to invest much in public transit. How do they expect to attract transit-oriented development without dedicated lanes/tracks and stations?

 

Basically, he's suggesting this could simply be a bus route with fancy branding and signal prioritization. Sound familiar? That's exactly what The SPUR was... on this same corridor!

 

https://go-time-with...etro-11-02-2022

[Dylan]

Perhaps Andreski's suggestion that we essentially re-create The SPUR will finally entice Arlington to join Trinity Metro!

 

/s

[Dylan]

Here's a discussion from the "Modern Streetcar Dead" thread that's relevant to the topic of BRT on East Lancaster...

 

https://www.cnbc.com...ty-transit.html
 
I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on this "trackless tram." Is it a glorified bus, or is it worthwhile for it's lower cost and high adaptability?
 
It seems like with proper station design it could really give it the feel of rail and thus have more of a draw than bus lines. Also the lady towards the end of the video talks about the need for dedicated right-of-way for the tram, which would certainly give it more gravitas than just a 'bus lane,' that happens to have a tram in it.

They system that Houston built is pretty cool.  I keep meaning to ride it from downtown to the Galleria, but have yet to do it. It is my understanding that although Houston has a light rail system, this route was done as a cheaper alternative to a light rail expansion. 
 

 
Are you talking about the Silver Line? It seems like a cool concept, sort of a hybrid of rail and BRT. I did not ride it, but I did see it blow past me on Post Oak when I was in Hou recently. 

 
I could write a lot about my thoughts for the "trackless tram" but this video can be pretty good. While I don't agree with everything Reece has to say he IS very informed on transit issues as well as the many mode types that are available.

In regards to the above video- Yes, a "trackless trolley" is just a bus and isn't as nice or comfortable as a light rail train, but it may be nicer than a traditional bus.

If you're building BRT instead of light rail because of cost, then you options aren't "trackless tram" vs train. Your options are "trackless tram" vs bus.

That said, I do agree with concerns about buying from that Chinese manufacturer. It would be nice if a different company could build "trackless trams."

In regards to Austin calling Houston's Silver Line a hybrid between rail and BRT... no... Houston's Silver Line *IS* BRT. Anything built to lower standards is a glorified bus line. Too many so-called BRT lines are not actually BRT lines because they don't mimic light rail service. Real BRT is supposed to mimic light rail service.

I'm concerned the East Lancaster "BRT" line won't actually be BRT.

[Dylan]

Local officials are coming out against BRT in favor of "enhanced" bus service. What a joke!

https://fortworthrep...t-a-speed-bump/

It would be a shame to squander an opportunity to build real BRT on such a wide and busy corridor that could be extended into Arlington.

[txbornviking]

as outlined in the article, dedicated lanes running adjacent to the existing median rather than tearing out the trees in the median or running the bus lane along the businesses where the curbcuts are does seem like a fair "alternative"

[Dylan]

There are two big problems with that:

1- Cars can easily drive into the bus lane

2- It makes having left turn lanes difficult or impossible

Officials are looking for ways to cheap out because they aren't interested in spending money for high quality transit. They would rather spend money on roads.

[Austin55]

I'm not understanding fully how this coexists with previous studies and plans, Trinity Metro shared this. 

 

More info: https://www.fortworthetp.com/

[Dylan]

Looks like it's time to add this to the list of transit studies done in the past 15 years:

-Fort Worth Streetcar Study
-The T (Trinity Metro) Master Plan
-Fort Worth Transit Moves
-Tarrant County Transit Study
-Trinity Metro East Lancaster BRT
-Fort Worth East Side Transit Plan

and possibly soon...
-Trinity Metro Streetcar Study

[Austin55]

The East Lancaster project has received a $20 million grant to go towards the project of rebuilding the street. 

 

https://fortworthrep...-redevelopment/

[Stadtplan]

Fort Worth Eastside Transportation Plan Survey:
https://www.fortworthetp.com/

News piece:
https://www.fox4news...ublic-for-input

[Austin55]

Fort Worth Report has an update on the E. Lancaster project, though no mention of specific details regarding the transit element. 

"With $45M more flowing to East Lancaster redevelopment, construction could start by 2027": https://fortworthrep...start-by-2027/?

 

(BTW - Not really sure if this thread is the right spot, it kinda went from general BRT to E Lancaster specific so I was sticking with it)

[Jeriat]

Fort Worth Report has an update on the E. Lancaster project, though no mention of specific details regarding the transit element. 

"With $45M more flowing to East Lancaster redevelopment, construction could start by 2027": https://fortworthrep...start-by-2027/?

 

(BTW - Not really sure if this thread is the right spot, it kinda went from general BRT to E Lancaster specific so I was sticking with it)

 

I know 4 years isn't too long, but still . . . 

[Stadtplan]

Public forums being held this week, if anyone is interested: https://www.fortworthetp.com/

 

[Austin55]

Sounds like the true BRT on E Lancaster is dead. Fort Worth Report article on the Eastside transit plan: https://fortworthrep...-is-third-rate/

[Jeriat]

Sounds like the true BRT on E Lancaster is dead. Fort Worth Report article on the Eastside transit plan: https://fortworthrep...-is-third-rate/

If they're not talking about replacing the plan with rail, instead, I don't wanna hear it... 

[txbornviking]

the only thing Fort Worth seems to like more than a watered down plan is a plan that just sits on the shelf...

With federal dollars lined up, I guess it's just a question of how much more water gets poured onto this plan for Lancaster

[Austin55]

Some more info on the Eastside Plan here: https://fortworthgov...A6-7FF36DEA322E

[Stadtplan]

Some more info on the Eastside Plan here: https://fortworthgov...A6-7FF36DEA322E

 

Eastside Transportation Plan updates and documents:

 

View Executive Summary

https://static1.squa...y_1-11-2024.pdf

 

This presentation showcases the latest information on the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA), which was approved by City Council for approval on Tuesday, January 23.

https://static1.squa...resentation.pdf

 

Solutions Workshop RSVP

Join us March 19-21, 2024 to share your vision for the future of your neighborhood.

https://form.jotform...240636087442154

[Dylan]

It makes me mad that they're squandering a wonderful opportunity to build BRT to light rail standards on such a wide ROW corridor.

 

Were citizens who attended an in-person session shown the pros and cons of BRT vs. a fancy bus that's still in mixed traffic?

 

If yes, were there really more people who preferred a fancy bus in mixed-traffic? Perhaps if the NIMBYs showed up...