The City of Long Beach has just received a report it commissioned in 2007 on a preliminary study of the viability of streetcars there. The report presented several possible routes in Long Beach including a downtown loop, to routes along major streets, and connecting areas such as downtown and Cal State Long Beach. Of note is that the study does not include a route to Long Beach Airport. I am honestly not familiar enough with Long Beach to suggest this route could be viable other than the idea that a connection to the city’s commercially served airport would be necesary.
Downtown loops are demonstrated modes of circulating people within a smaller area (e.g. Portland), as well as encouraging development and walking. Connections to Cal State Long Beach are sure to attract many typically car-less students. The streetcar system would be centered around downtown where many bus routes and rail system connecting downtown Long Beach to Los Angeles are located. Public officials are concerned about the (very preliminary) $900 million cost. It is not clear what price-per-mile this incorporates, however, if Portland is any example, those quoted in the article are certainly correct in assuming that the federal government would happily pay for a significant portion of that figure.
For more information read the LB Post Telegram article here.