According to Miles Grant, "the streetcar is a relative bargain purely on the basis of direct cost per estimated user, not even including the external costs of sprawl and pollution that new and improved highways engender."
"Instead of further straining public resources by feeding sprawl, the Columbia Pike Streetcar is expected to help revive an existing commercial corridor, contributing positively to Arlington County's balance sheet over time as new development produces tax revenue while adding minimal costs to county services... The streetcar's mere $261 million price tag, by contrast, covers a 5-mile to be used by an estimated 26,000 riders per day," states Grant, reporter for GreaterGreaterWashington.
In addition to being the smarter choice against new highways, there is much community support for this project.
Arlington County Board Member Jay Fisette says that "the community has endorsed this for years....As we continue to refine this project and bring it towards the finish line, I'm confident it will be good for Columbia Pike, our economy, our quality of life, and for beginning the next generation of regional rail."
FULL STORY: Columbia Pike streetcar is a bargain versus new highways
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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research