Kansas City Locks May 18 Opening for $62M Riverfront Streetcar Expansion

KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension is planned to officially open on May 18. KC Streetcar officials described the $62 million, 0.7-mile extension in a press release as a milestone in continued investment in transit, connectivity and riverfront revitalization in Kansas City, Missouri. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension scope

According to Progressive Railroading, the project includes more than 8,300 feet of new track. It also includes 76 overhead catenary system poles ranging from 28 feet to 54 feet high, about 12,000 feet of overhead catenary system wire, and one new traction power substation. Together, those elements cover the track, overhead power equipment and traction power infrastructure included in the short extension.

The extension links the existing 5.7-mile streetcar route with Kansas City’s riverfront. Also, KC Streetcar officials said riders will be able to travel continuously from the University of Missouri-Kansas City at the southern end of the route to the riverfront at the northern end.

“We are reconnecting our riverfront for the next generation” said Tom Gerend, the executive director of the KC Streetcar Authority.

Meanwhile, the Riverfront Extension is currently in pre-revenue operations. That phase includes system testing and training for streetcar operations staff.

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