The latest plan to make Atlanta the place to live and visit (we’re talking about the City of Atlanta, not the Metro Area) is to build a trolley system.

The proponents argue that the project would be ready to go quickly, would create jobs and would lower traffic on Peachtee Street…

San Francisco Street Car

especially in the middle of the day (the people that work along P’tree might be able to hop a trolley instead of driving to lunch).  This would reduce pollution and provide a cleaner transport than busses.

San Francisco Trolley

Detractors argue that this isn’t the most brilliant way to spend $81,000,000.  With the planned 3.6 miles of track, that equates to $22.5M per mile.  Compare this to the Disneyland Monorail System, which cost $1,000,000/mile in 1959 (that would be just under $7.3M/mile in 2009 dollars).  Further, those that think a trolley would be a good idea think that connecting the Georgia World Congress Center, GA Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and downtown hotels would be better.  This would allow tourists and convention attendees to use the system.

So, what do you think?  Is this a good use of $81,000,000 from the stimulus bill?

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