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A majority of the members of the community advisory committee that has been examining the have approved the more expensive option to build a streetcar between the two cities.

The group voted 16-4 in favor of the streetcar, and its recommendation will now be passed on to the project management group, said Karen Kane, a spokeswoman for the regional government Metro.

The project is a joint effort between several groups, including the cities of Portland and Lake Oswego, Portland Streetcar Inc., the Federal Transit Administration, TriMet and Metro.

“It’s an important first step in the public involvement process and it does pave the way,” Kane said of the recommendation.

After more review, the suggestions will be passed on to the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission and the Lake Oswego City Council and Lake Oswego Planning Commission in March, she added.

The group looked at the potential impacts and benefits of .

• The first was to build no new transportation between the two cities.
• The second was to build enhanced frequent bus service between Oregon City and Downtown Portland along Oregon Route 43 with connections to the Lake Oswego transit center. That option would cost $51.1 million, with annual operating costs of $2.79 million. Potential funding would come from a $30.7 million FTA Small Starts grant, with the rest being paid for by local governments.
• The third was to build a streetcar with park and ride services along the Willamette Shore Line right of way. That option would cost between $379.6 million and $458.3 million, with an annual operating cost of $1.25 million. Potential funding would come for a $227.8 to $275 million FTA New Starts grant, with the rest being paid for by local governments.

Those in favor of the streetcar noted that it would provide a fast, reliable alternative to Oregon Route 43 that would not add to gridlock, that it would be good for residential development in Lake Oswego and that it would be a good local use of federal dollars.

Of the four members opposed to the streetcar option, two preferred an enhanced bus, one preferred a no-build and one abstained from voting, Kane said.