Mayor Murray addresses media
Mayor Ed Murray tested out the first of the new First Hill streetcars Friday, March 27. The baby-blue street car was tested on the Jackson route in the International District. Mayor Murray and news media were invited to get on board.
The project cost $134 million. There are currently 30 electrician and machinists Pacifica Marine (Seattle based) and 10 workers from the Czech Republic from train supplier Inekon.
First Hill streetcar gets a test ride in the ID
So why baby blue? There actually many colors, representing the different routes through the variety of Seattle neighborhoods that will be using the streetcar. Baby blue was picked for First Hill due to all the hospitals and babies born in the neighborhood. The Chinatown International District will have two colors: red and yellow. Little Saigon will get a jade green car to represent Vietnam. Pioneer Square, in honor of its history with the Klondike Gold Rush, will have a metallic gold car. Capitol Hill will have a hot pink streetcar to display the neighborhood’s diversity, and South Lake Union will have an orange streetcar to represent the iconic presence of Amazon in the neighborhood.
Although there were many delays with the project, passenger service is expected to begin this summer. (end)