YAKIMA, Wash. – Yakima’s proposed Transportation Improvement Plan includes a controversial proposal to redo Sixth Avenue from Walnut Street to River Road. This construction would necessitate the removal of tracks for Yakima’s historic inter-urban trolley system.
During Tuesday’s Yakima City Council meeting, Acting City Engineer Bill Preston explained the necessity of removing the trolley tracks. He stated, “I can’t fix the road without tearing all the tracks out.”
The topic has sparked debate in the community. During the public comment period, many individuals voiced their support for preserving the tracks. One person described the trolleys as a “time capsule that was never buried,” emphasizing the unique experience they offer.
The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has listed the Yakima trolley as one of the most endangered historic places in the state. It is one of the last inter-urban trolley systems in the U.S. Experts and volunteers anticipate it will become a National Historic Landmark within the next year. This would make it the third National Historic Landmark east of the Cascades in Washington.
The mayor also expressed support for maintaining the trolley’s historic integrity, saying, “The most important thing to me is the historical value. You know, since the early 1900s over 100 years, we we don’t move forward. This will be the death knell for the trolley. We will lose our history and the opportunity to push it for not only our city, but for that economic development.”
Despite these concerns, the city council decided to approve the Transportation Improvement Plan, including the Sixth Avenue construction. However, they indicated plans to address the issue in a future city council meeting, seeking additional funding to preserve the trolley’s integrity.
