Kansas City Streetcar

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 5:07 pm

KC Streetcar to NKC Study is launching. NKC City Council hopes to have a route selected and cost estimate ready by next summer.

KC Streetcar announced they will launch an East/West study next month.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Tue Aug 31, 2021 9:12 pm

strangerthings wrote: Tue Aug 31, 2021 5:07 pm KC Streetcar to NKC Study is launching. NKC City Council hopes to have a route selected and cost estimate ready by next summer.

KC Streetcar announced they will launch an East/West study next month.

As exciting as it is to see them expanding the streetcar, I really wish their light rail plan had come to fruition... I mean, it was pretty close to becoming reality, and it would have been a much more viable option for pure transportation purposes.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:33 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Tue Aug 31, 2021 9:12 pm
strangerthings wrote: Tue Aug 31, 2021 5:07 pm KC Streetcar to NKC Study is launching. NKC City Council hopes to have a route selected and cost estimate ready by next summer.

KC Streetcar announced they will launch an East/West study next month.
As exciting as it is to see them expanding the streetcar, I really wish their light rail plan had come to fruition... I mean, it was pretty close to becoming reality, and it would have been a much more viable option for pure transportation purposes.

Agreed for the most part. I think it would have moved the city forward a decade development wise. I'm not sure how the design would have played out.

Busguy2010 · Post by **Busguy2010** » Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:26 pm

strangerthings wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:33 pm Agreed for the most part. I think it would have moved the city forward a decade development wise. I'm not sure how the design would have played out.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall it starting at KCIA, generally following I-29 into downtown, then following more or less the current streetcar route, then continuing south/east from UMKC generally, maybe down 71-ish or Troost

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Thu Sep 23, 2021 2:38 pm

Busguy2010 wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:26 pm
strangerthings wrote: Wed Sep 08, 2021 1:33 pm Agreed for the most part. I think it would have moved the city forward a decade development wise. I'm not sure how the design would have played out.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall it starting at KCIA, generally following I-29 into downtown, then following more or less the current streetcar route, then continuing south/east from UMKC generally, maybe down 71-ish or Troost

A "local" transit activtist had a dream system approved no way to fund it. Northland HomeDepot to downtown to the Zoo is the biggest real system ever pushed

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Thu Sep 23, 2021 2:42 pm

Expansion Updates

a. Main St. Extension-
- Utility moves are around 70% complete.
- Streetcar rails will start arriving before the end of the year.
- Vehicle purchased was a approved last month?
- Earth work on the south end to start on October if still on schedule

b. Riverfront Extension: September ACTION: Approve Updated Draft Project Agreement inclusive of
updated project cost estimates and amended local match contributions.

c. North Kansas City: Select firm to carryout the study. Have results by Summer 2022

d. East-West Study: September ACTION: Approve allocation not to exceed to $75k to support east-
west transit/streetcar study, contingent upon equal or great contributions from KCATA, and the Unified Government and/or KU Med.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Tue Oct 05, 2021 4:37 pm

City Manager has commented on KC Streetcar's newest expansions. East West from KU Med to Arrowhead & Kauffman Stadium. Northline to KCI Airport.

https://twitter.com/briandavidplatt/sta ... 16841?s=21

LetsBeReal22 · Post by **LetsBeReal22** » Wed Oct 06, 2021 9:50 am

Take the eastern side of the 39 and extend it up to the 31st & Van Brunt stop. There's plenty of land there to make a decent little transfer station/plaza.
Then people from Independence can take the 31 to that transfer point and hop on the 39 to the Med Center. Add a couple of busses to keep headway the same. Possibly incorporate some of the MAX technology for the green lights.

Otherwise just build an east/west MAX line.

I wouldn't fully commit anything until they figure out the stadium situation though.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Nov 16, 2021 6:26 pm

Possible new mass transit line coming to KC:

https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-cit ... o_AwJxF_vM#

TransitOriented · Post by **TransitOriented** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 8:58 am

If a interstate project like this were to happen, does Kansas pay their part while Missouri pays their part? Can they essentially double dip on those funds from the feds (two states/one project)?

Side question, who would pay for ORBT stops in Council Bluffs?

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 10:10 am

TransitOriented wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 8:58 am If a interstate project like this were to happen, does Kansas pay their part while Missouri pays their part? Can they essentially double dip on those funds from the feds (two states/one project)?

That's generally how it goes, yes. It's often organized as a component of a metropolitan planning organization or a regional transportation authority. In KC's case it's a regional transportation authority, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority or KCATA, which serves transit through the entire Kansas City Metro area in both Missouri and Kansas. They enter into intergovernmental agreements with local governments that say essentially "we'll provide the transit if you provide a taxing mechanism to fund it" (in addition to some annual federal funding).

I'm not sure what you mean by "double-dipping," but yes, the project could be submitted as one project where federal funding is allocated to the agencies of two states. Most likely what would happen is the feds would give the money to whoever is the project lead (KCATA in this case) and they divvy it up among the different agencies involved per the intergovernmental agreement. It can be submitted individually per state if there is a reason to do that as well (phasing or some similar reason). But KS and MO could not get double the funds by submitting for the same project.

Side question, who would pay for ORBT stops in Council Bluffs?

The City of Council Bluffs. It has two Metro bus lines that serve the city currently that are funded with a property tax the city levies.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:15 pm

Rail deliveries started this morning:

Images and video via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/BuildKCSC/status/14 ... 33863?s=20

TransitOriented · Post by **TransitOriented** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 9:31 am

I take it you go by normalthings on kcrag?

If they do expand the line to the riverfront, how would the line continue or connect with the proposed north line? I can't seem to find much info on that, but I don't browse kcrag too much.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 10:44 pm

TransitOriented wrote: Wed Jan 05, 2022 9:31 am I take it you go by normalthings on kcrag?

If they do expand the line to the riverfront, how would the line continue or connect with the proposed north line? I can't seem to find much info on that, but I don't browse kcrag too much.

They will not connect and instead operate independently of each other.
Riverfront and NKC lines will connect into the starter line at River Market.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:25 am

Hope to see this in Omaha soon!

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Sep 29, 2022 4:19 pm

strangerthings wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:25 am Hope to see this in Omaha soon!

Lets hope so. Hopefully starting next year, please.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Mon Feb 27, 2023 8:27 pm

Rail for the riverfront extension will start arriving next week. UMKC extension keeps chugging along. planning for the up to 8 mile east west line continues with a budget of $600 million

Post by **Brad** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 10:05 pm

We were in KC for the past several days...

The good news:
Several miles of new streetcar track are in place running south from Union Station.

The bad news:
The current line broke down in the afternoon on the fourth of July and is currently closed. We went by the problem area and they were actually removing concrete on the bridge over the interstate to fix the track. Apparently working 27/7 to repair it. I guess the section that broke was one of the first track put in, way before the rest of the line was put in.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Wed Aug 02, 2023 3:21 pm

strangerthings wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 12:25 am Hope to see this in Omaha soon!

Kansas City is close to retroactively changing much of the new route to dedicated streetcar lanes. 60% of tracks are already in the ground so the KC Streetcar won't be able to hit higher speeds or maximize the benefits of having the streetcar-only lanes. Omaha should make sure they design to convert to dedicated someday.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Mon Sep 25, 2023 10:22 pm

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Mon Sep 25, 2023 11:36 pm

How exciting! KC's rapid expansion has me hopeful for more in Omaha before too long

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Fri Nov 10, 2023 8:29 am

strangerthings wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 4:37 pm City Manager has commented on KC Streetcar's newest expansions. East West from KU Med to Arrowhead & Kauffman Stadium. Northline to KCI Airport.

https://twitter.com/briandavidplatt/sta ... 16841?s=21

Streetcar/LRV was selected for the east west line. Hope on local boards is for a few stations to be consolidated as well as center running tracks instead of the slower curb running that exists today.

New route map:

Survey link (w/ lane mix options):
Vote for center running and suggest station consolidation!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EWStreetcar

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Nov 13, 2023 5:58 pm

Love to see these possible expansions, wow!

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Fri Feb 21, 2025 10:09 am

Been seeing videos popping up on KC testing the new rail cars for the extension. They are solid white. Is this the final look or will they be putting skins over it?

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Wed Mar 05, 2025 2:50 pm

Dusty wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2025 10:09 am Been seeing videos popping up on KC testing the new rail cars for the extension. They are solid white. Is this the final look or will they be putting skins over it?

All of the KC Streetcars come in white with grey accents. Provides a neutral base for the colorful art or advertisement wraps you see.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Sat May 03, 2025 3:19 pm

Streetcar testing continues through near the end of the year.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Sat May 03, 2025 5:04 pm

Looks real good!

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Thu May 29, 2025 8:30 pm

Streetcar Authority has authorized $180k to study a line from 18th & Vine to SW Boulevard. The Linwood/39th extension is likely dead for now.

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Fri Aug 01, 2025 11:52 pm

Opening October 24th 2025

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Tue Oct 28, 2025 10:11 pm

Opened!

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Oct 29, 2025 8:49 am

Can't wait for that day to arrive in Omaha.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Oct 29, 2025 11:47 am

Love that you can now go from downtown to the Plaza and Westport. So many places are now connected.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Wed Oct 29, 2025 11:57 am

It looks incredible! Can't wait to see the ridership impacts, as this will really move the KC streetcar more firmly into the actual transit camp.

BuildTaller · Post by **BuildTaller** » Thu Oct 30, 2025 4:16 pm

Greg S wrote: Wed Oct 29, 2025 11:47 am Love that you can now go from downtown to the Plaza and Westport. So many places are now connected.

Still waiting on that Riverfront extension though!

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Fri Oct 31, 2025 12:02 pm

BuildTaller wrote: Thu Oct 30, 2025 4:16 pm
Greg S wrote: Wed Oct 29, 2025 11:47 am Love that you can now go from downtown to the Plaza and Westport. So many places are now connected.
Still waiting on that Riverfront extension though!

Yeah, isn't that supposed to be ready by 1st quarter next year? Which will be another game changers with all the investment down there, led by the ownership group of the KC Current.

BuildTaller · Post by **BuildTaller** » Fri Oct 31, 2025 5:09 pm

Stay in your lane

BuildTaller · Post by **BuildTaller** » Tue May 19, 2026 10:38 am

Riverfront extension is now open

Flyer14 · Post by **Flyer14** » Tue May 19, 2026 11:09 am

This project seems to be a success at every turn. Really awesome to see it happen!

strangerthings · Post by **strangerthings** » Tue May 19, 2026 8:59 pm

BuildTaller wrote: Tue May 19, 2026 10:38 am Riverfront extension is now open

various images from Linkedin

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed May 20, 2026 10:07 am

Looks great...can't wait to see Omaha's and hopefully we can get an expansion like that someday.