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utilities were substantially out of the way of the planned construction schedule. T is did cause an increase in extended overhead, however, the sponsors made a conscious decision that it was better to delay the beginning of construction until utility issues were either cleared or under control, rather than to begin con- struction and have complicated con- f icts arise, which would likely have es- calated costs signif cantly. HOW DOES the streetcar project fi t into the overall revitalization of downtown Atlanta? Streetcars are more than the 'next new thing ' in urban transportation. With a growing number of people — both younger workers and empty nesters — choosing to move into or near large cit- ies, streetcars make sense because they can easily connect passengers with a wide array of activities and jobs in the ur- ban corridors. T ey also allow these same city dwellers to have more transportation choices and give those looking for a more sustainable lifestyle the option of being car-free. For those going farther af eld, or com- ing in to the city from the suburbs, street- cars provide inner-city connectivity from larger regional transit systems, helping reduce congestion downtown. A single streetcar can transport as many people as 177 automobiles and, being electric, they do it more ef ciently and with few- er emissions. T e Atlanta Streetcar is part of the city's long-term Connect Atlanta plan, which was developed to accommodate growth while maintaining the quality of life de- sired by an increasingly diverse popu- lation. The increased transit access and mobility provided by the streetcar will support projected growth while encour- aging economic development. DISCUSS SELECTION of the vehicles. What were some key requirements? T e four Siemens S70 vehicles are ex- amples of the most advanced modern streetcar design and technology avail- able. T ey are low-f oor vehicles, which make them accessible for people of all abilities, have four designated STREETCAR 24 < m ETRO m AGAZINE APRIL 2014 metro-magazine.com "Building the Atlanta Streetcar now is not about nostalgia, it's about accommodating growth and planning for the future." M E T R O 0 4 1 4 _ S T R E E T C A R . i n d d 2 4 METRO0414_STREETCAR.indd 24 3 / 1 8 / 1 4 2 : 2 2 P M 3/18/14 2:22 PM