TranSystems/Stone Consulting & Design, a transportation consulting firm in Warren, PA, was selected as the project consultant to undertake a feasibility study of the expansion of the Park’s trolley system. This project is the Phase 1 Trolley Extension Alternatives Development Study by Lowell National Historical Park in cooperation with The Lowell Plan, the City of Lowell, Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, Seashore Trolley Museum, and other community partners. The contract funding of $129,000, made available through the National Park Service Alternative Transportation Park and Public Lands program, will develop and evaluate alternatives for the Phase 1 extension of the trolley system for public transit use. Michael Creasey, Superintendent at Lowell National Historical Park stated, “With the Park trolley system for visitors in place, we welcome this study to advance the idea of extending those lines to serve the wider community."
The project will build on the Park’s existing 1.5-mile system to create a new linear transit corridor extending from Gallagher Terminal to the University of Massachusetts, Lowell Fox Hall dormitories. “While we have long recognized the value of the trolley as a potential transit amenity and a key feature that helps set Downtown Lowell apart from other communities, the challenge has always been finding an economically feasible construction and operating model. The expertise of this consultant team, along with the practical perspectives of the members of the business community who are now engaged with this project through the Lowell Plan will be enormously helpful in moving the project forward," acknowledged Adam Baacke, Assistant City Manager and Director of the Department of Planning and Development.
The project will involve development of new alignments at each end of the existing park transit system: 1) Swamp Locks to Gallagher Terminal, and 2) French Street to Fox Hall. This will serve as Phase I of a planned larger system that will serve multiple destinations in and around Downtown Lowell, including the pending revitalization of the Hamilton Canal District (HCD). “Trinity Financial, as the Master Developer of the Hamilton Canal District, believes that an enhanced trolley system connecting to the Gallagher Terminal and circulating through the downtown and out to the University, ball park and arena would be be a significant economic stimulus for the entire city. The selection of TranSystems/Stone Consulting & Design to complete a technical and financial feasibility study within the next 6 to 8 months is a great step forward and Trinity looks forward to continued involvement with the NPS, the Lowell Plan, the City, NMCOG, LRTA and TranSystems as the feasibility of various options are explored," stated Hank Keating, of Trinity Financial.
TranSystems/Stone Consulting & Design was selected because of their unique experience developing effective urban streetcar systems. They have been involved in more heritage trolley projects than any other firm and have had extensive experience designing and building cost effective trolley systems throughout the country.
For more information contact Christina Briggs, Community Planner, Lowell National Historical Park, at 978-275-1725 or christina_briggs@nps.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
