CCRTA and Possible Rail Trolley
A rail trolley may be in Corpus Christi’s downtown in the future.
Downtown May Have A New Way To Get Around
By Matt Terhune, KRIS-TV
September 18, 2003
The folks with the Regional Transportation Authority met Wednesday to look at ways to make it easier to get around in the downtown area. One of those plans includes a rail trolley system.
On the downtown circular bus we met Nick Luna coming home from work. He says this bus just doesn’t go far enough. “Extend it down to Heritage Park, maybe down to the Coliseum down there. Yes, I think it’d be great!”
RTA officials may have an answer for Luna. That answer might be a rail trolley. Something like you’d see in New Orleans and San Francisco.
The route could go down Water Street, Carancahua, or Shoreline Boulevard. It could link city hall and the county courthouse parking lots. Even though RTA officials have not chosen a specific route for a proposed rail trolley system.
One thing is for sure. It would help conventioneers get from the new arena and convention center safely back to their hotels downtown across I-37.
Fred Haley says it would create a “sense of place” for downtown. Shuttles will be needed with the expansion of the convention center, the new arena, and proposed ballpark all on the north side of I-37. Haley says, “There’s going to be a lot of people there. RTA may have some way of being able to help them.”
Haley says a streetcar line could cost 20 to 30 million to build. Funds would most likely come from a combination of sources.
Haley says, “What we’re doing now is the next step. To take a really close look at it, see is it possible? How much is it going to cost? Can we afford it? What exactly should it do?”
Luna thinks the streetcars could be a tourist attraction.
Especially for a seaside town like Corpus Christi. In a few years, he may get his wish. RTA officials also want public input on the proposed trolley system. They’ll be making a presentation to the city council on September 23rd. They’ll also be reviewing the proposal at the RTA board meeting on October 8th.