Natomas lightrail DNA line is back on?

It appears from the Bee and RT that RT has decided to fast-track the Downtown-Natomas-Airport (DNA) line, with a target completion date of 2017. This is three years faster than we reported last April. I know, it's 2008, so we're still looking at nearly 10 years of construction so I'm not holding my breath. But it's a step in the right direction. The RT board will hear public comments tonight at 6pm and the public comment period ends tomorrow.

There has been volumes of debate about the cost, the time, the location and probably even the paint color they use on the trains. But the reality of the situation is, a big city needs alternate modes of transportation and a way to get to the airport. If Sacramento wants to truly be a "green city" we must have a light rail system that is functional, quick and reliable. It makes no sense to me that the original light rail line didn't include an airport stop.

I've heard the comments about putting the tracks on Truxel and the dangers. That's just more bad planning on the city's part and a lack of foresight. I don't agree with the RT plan of where to run the line, but that doesn't mean the entire plan is bad. Running the line down Truxel increases transportation to the high school, the South Natomas library, Arco and to shopping areas. It's not the best idea, but it will work. RT can increase safety by monitoring the area, particularly around the high school, where traffic tends to be a younger, less safe group of drivers and pedestrians.

I also think the prediction of lowering car traffic from Natomas by 1% is simply shortsighted. As traffic increases to downtown, parking costs and gas rise and the economy bounces around, RT has no idea what will happen. If the schedule is convenient, passengers are safe and trains are clean, people will ride.

Also not factored into this 1% is out of town travelers. It would be a huge bonus for the Sac CVB to be able to sell conventions with light rail to the airport. As it currently stands, convention visitors have to rent cars or use buses (RT or private) to get downtown. I'm already envisioning a huge green living and sustainability convention that requires no cars or buses to get around. The tax dollars spent will be worth the return when the convention center, downtown hotels and shopping, restaurants and other tourist locations start to fill up.

On to the most hysterical part of this entire debate. As we have commented before, bus service to Natomas is nonexistent on the weekends. RT had to supplement their own bus service for public open houses because people couldn't use RT to get there:
"RT will offer supplemental bus service on Route 11 from downtown Sacramento to the open house at Inderkum High School on Saturday, February 9. Buses will depart from 3rd and J streets every 30 minutes from 9:07 a.m. to 11:07 a.m. The last return trip from Inderkum High School to downtown Sacramento will depart at 12:10 p.m." (from the RT press release here)