Streetcar Extension on Main Street in KC to Commence Operation on October 24
Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension Set to Open in 2025
The Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension, a significant transit project in the region's history, is nearing completion. Scheduled to open on October 24, 2025, this expansion will extend the existing streetcar system by 3.5 miles, connecting downtown Kansas City to the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) campus at 51st and Brookside Boulevard.
Construction and Funding
The construction of the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension began on April 6, 2022, led by the KC Streetcar Constructors, a joint venture between Herzog Contracting Corp. and Stacy and Witbeck. The project is overseen by the joint partnership of the city of Kansas City, the KC Streetcar, and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The project is fully funded through a combination of federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant program and local funding provided by the Main Street Rail Transportation Development District.
Key Features
The extension will span nearly six miles from the City Market to UMKC, providing a significant north-south transit spine. It will include 15 new stops and feature a fare-free service, ensuring accessibility for all residents and visitors.
Extensive testing has been conducted on vehicles, tracks, substations, signals, and systems along the extension to ensure operational readiness. Landscaping, medians, and other streetscape elements are also part of the expansion, with the replacement of over 20,000 square feet of crosswalks, 145,000 square feet of sidewalks, 32,000 linear feet of curb, and 31,000 square feet of ADA ramps.
A pedestrian plaza near 51st St. and Brookside Boulevard is also part of the expansion, connecting to the trolley track trail and local shops. Additionally, a new plaza transit center that connects buses and streetcar routes is being constructed.
Urban Connectivity
The KC Streetcar Main Street Extension will connect vibrant areas including the River Market district, downtown commercial zones, and the UMKC campus, facilitating greater neighborhood integration and access to jobs, education, and cultural sites. This extension represents a significant step toward enhancing public transit infrastructure in Kansas City, aiming to unify neighborhoods and support sustainable urban development by providing a reliable, convenient, and accessible transit option.
The KC Streetcar expansion includes eight new streetcar vehicles, bringing the fleet total to 14. The total cost of the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension is $352 million. The grand opening of the Main Street Extension will be celebrated by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas as a day to remember and a significant step forward in public transportation. KC Streetcar Board Chair Michael Collins believes the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension will deliver a more connected and vibrant Kansas City.
[1] Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension, KC Streetcar (https://kcstreetcar.org/main-street-extension/)
[2] KC Streetcar Main Street Extension, KCATA (https://www.kcata.org/kc-streetcar-main-street-extension/)
[3] KC Streetcar Main Street Extension, Federal Transit Administration (https://www.transit.dot.gov/projects/kc-streetcar-main-street-extension)
[4] KC Streetcar Main Street Extension, City of Kansas City (https://www.kcmo.gov/kcmocares/kc-streetcar-main-street-extension)
[5] KC Streetcar Main Street Extension, Burns & McDonnell (https://www.burnsmcd.com/projects/kc-streetcar-main-street-extension)
[6] KC Streetcar Main Street Extension, JE Dunn Construction (https://www.jedunn.com/projects/kc-streetcar-main-street-extension)
The expansion of the Kansas City Streetcar system, led by the joint venture of KC Streetcar Constructors, is set to be managed by the city of Kansas City, KC Streetcar, and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The project is funded by a combination of federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant program and local funding provided by the Main Street Rail Transportation Development District.
The KC Streetcar Main Street Extension will integrate various areas of Kansas City by connecting the River Market district, downtown commercial zones, and the UMKC campus. This represents a significant step toward enhancing public transit infrastructure, supporting sustainable urban development, and creating a more connected and vibrant city.
The rail-based transportation project will also feature a new plaza transit center that connects buses and streetcar routes, demonstrating the management's commitment to comprehensive transportation solutions in the industry and finance sectors.
