Omaha Streetcar Discussion

[MetcalfeHarrison]

…..?

I’d say 30 percent higher than estimates is a steep increase…..

Have you seen other estimates for the cars? The latest I saw from about a year ago was $45 million so not that far off. It does get a little more expensive when you include the oversight costs from HDR still.

[Linkin5]

…..?

I’d say 30 percent higher than estimates is a steep increase…..

Have you seen other estimates for the cars? The latest I saw from about a year ago was $45 million so not that far off. It does get a little more expensive when you include the oversight costs from HDR still.

The OWH published a correction stating that their 30% increase number was incorrect. Unfortunately, not many are going to read that and it doesn’t look like they changed the article title stating 30%.

[skinzfan23]

OWH with outstanding journalism yet again. So instead of being 30% over estimates it is only 5% more: $47.6 instead of $45 Million.

[Ben]

How does 1 quote say that the bid was within budget, and another 30% higher than estimates? I don't understand how those both could be true...

[MetcalfeHarrison]

It seems the issue is that the mayor said the cars average around $6 million each in their press conference in November and OWH ran with that as an official number. She also said there was no delay though and the plan was still to be up and running in 2026 but I thought OSA already said the plan was 2027?

[Dusty]

It seems the issue is that the mayor said the cars average around $6 million each in their press conference in November and OWH ran with that as an official number. She also said there was no delay though and the plan was still to be up and running in 2026 but I thought OSA already said the plan was 2027?

I think there is a difference between completed (up and running) and officially open to the public. They are projected to be done by winter of 2026. Then they will be running it empty to train the drivers. They will put sand/water bags in the train to simulate weight as if passengers are riding. Then they will open in spring of 2027.

It's probably for the better anyway. They want a big turnout when it opens. Better chance of getting that if you wait until weather is nicer.

[skinzfan23]

It's probably for the better anyway. They want a big turnout when it opens. Better chance of getting that if you wait until weather is nicer.

Yes that is exactly what they have been stating. It should be complete by late 2026 but they are probably going to hold off until Spring 2027 for full open.

[nebugeater]

It's probably for the better anyway. They want a big turnout when it opens. Better chance of getting that if you wait until weather is nicer.

Yes that is exactly what they have been stating. It should be complete by late 2026 but they are probably going to hold off until Spring 2027 for full open.

Might as will make the first weekend of operation line up with the first weekend of the CWS!!!!

[almighty_tuna]

It's probably for the better anyway. They want a big turnout when it opens. Better chance of getting that if you wait until weather is nicer.

Yes that is exactly what they have been stating. It should be complete by late 2026 but they are probably going to hold off until Spring 2027 for full open.

Might as will make the first weekend of operation line up with the first weekend of the CWS!!!!

No way!! Get the kinks worked out before hundreds of thousands show up for the CWS.

[ita]

It's probably for the better anyway. They want a big turnout when it opens. Better chance of getting that if you wait until weather is nicer.

Yes that is exactly what they have been stating. It should be complete by late 2026 but they are probably going to hold off until Spring 2027 for full open.

Might as will make the first weekend of operation line up with the first weekend of the CWS!!!!

No way!! Get the kinks worked out before hundreds of thousands show up for the CWS.

Berkshire shareholders would be a good first event to test the system.

[Trips1]

HRD with $3.9 million to manage the purchase of $47.6 million worth of streetcars. The Streetcar cost is up from $45 million.

For comparison the entire Orbit route and 10 buses cost $37 million, with $15 million of that paid for with a Federal grant.

[almighty_tuna]

HRD with $3.9 million to manage the purchase of $47.6 million worth of streetcars. The Streetcar cost is up from $45 million.

For comparison the entire Orbit route and 10 buses cost $37 million, with $15 million of that paid for with a Federal grant.

How is that in any realm an apples to apples comparison that's supposed to be taken seriously?

[skinzfan23]

Tonight is the open house at the Kimpton Hotel in Blackstone from 5-7.

[Dusty]

Tonight is the open house at the Kimpton Hotel in Blackstone from 5-7.

Sounds like fun. I wish I could go.

Question- The drivers they hire will be employed by the City of Omaha, right?

[skinzfan23]

Quite the turnout for the open house:

[halgy]

Quite the turnout for the open house:

How's the vibe? People on Reddit complain about the streetcar, but I always wonder how much that translates to the actual world. In my day-to-day life, the only person I hear talking about it at all is me.

[Coyote]

HDR project manager Nick Stadem
gives update on Omaha Streetcar project before public meeting

[skinzfan23]

Quite the turnout for the open house:

How's the vibe? People on Reddit complain about the streetcar, but I always wonder how much that translates to the actual world. In my day-to-day life, the only person I hear talking about it at all is me.

Here it was really upbeat and just people asking questions about it. People want to know more specifics including costs, design and timeline. I think pretty much everyone for the open house is for it. Kinda glad that there aren’t a bunch of people showing up protesting it.

I think it was mentioned before but the plan is to tear down and rebuild both Harney and Farnam bridges over the interstate. The engineer I was taking to didn’t know the specifics since he wasn’t working on that part of the project, but he thought they will close traffic completely on them and use nearby roads.

Out of any major construction, I think these might end up being the most visible. They better start working on them soon if they want it all completed by 2027.

[Coyote]

Omaha's Streetcar Authority announces a couple of changes,
next phase of development



Omaha's Streetcar Authority hosted an open house on Thursday and revealed the next phases of the development. The open house was meant to give the public a chance to comment and ask questions about the project. There were a couple of changes announced at the open house, including a new terminal at 39th and Farnam streets and another at 10th and Capitol streets.

[thenewguy]

i hope they don't choose the same scheme as the MAT buses.

[Dusty]

i hope they don't choose the same scheme as the MAT buses.

I think it looks good with Metro Bus colors, but makes it hard to market it as a separate service (people mover, not a bus)

I would like to see solid colors. This sets the stage for expansion. For example all red and call it red line. A Council Bluffs extension could be all blue as the blue line. I have been pushing a 10th street expansion...green line.

[ita]

Quite the turnout for the open house:

How's the vibe? People on Reddit complain about the streetcar, but I always wonder how much that translates to the actual world. In my day-to-day life, the only person I hear talking about it at all is me.

Here it was really upbeat and just people asking questions about it. People want to know more specifics including costs, design and timeline. I think pretty much everyone for the open house is for it. Kinda glad that there aren’t a bunch of people showing up protesting it.

I think it was mentioned before but the plan is to tear down and rebuild both Harney and Farnam bridges over the interstate. The engineer I was taking to didn’t know the specifics since he wasn’t working on that part of the project, but he thought they will close traffic completely on them and use nearby roads.

Out of any major construction, I think these might end up being the most visible. They better start working on them soon if they want it all completed by 2027.

I got the same vibe; attendees were generally excited about the project and were asking specific questions, based on what I overheard. I did like that they had the chamber's urban core strategic plan out for review. There were a lot of people going through the images. Hoping it gets more people interested and excited about what's happening in the Core.

[FishFighter92]

It was an informative display, but not many new details.

[Coyote]

Omaha Streetcar Authority
hosts open house for community input on 60% designs



The Omaha Streetcar Authority made a stop at the Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel Thursday to host an open house for Omaha's future streetcar.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Biggest news I got from it was that they’re tearing down both the Harney and Farnam St bridges over 480. Harney St will be torn down this summer and rebuilt, then Farnam will be torn down and rebuilt,
They’re taking out the current bike lanes they put up recently down Harney but they’re testing ideas on how to replace it. They would’ve been fine keeping it as it is and just putting some rails in the street.

[F0R_L1F3]

Really wish that there's going to be investments to maybe improve some of the crossings around the station, get some new sidewalks in. Touch up the environment a little bit. Seems neat though as a little streetcar to take you from a few destinations in the downtown core.

[MetcalfeHarrison]

Anyone know why the monthly streetcar meeting was canceled for next week? I thought we were supposed to finally have pricing announced at this one.

[GenX]

Anyone know why the monthly streetcar meeting was canceled for next week? I thought we were supposed to finally have pricing announced at this one.

Pricing? It will be free to ride.

[Zephyr]

My understanding is that the 60% design cost estimate for construction has been targeted for the April board meeting. The March meeting has been canceled because there are evidently no board agenda items.

[MetcalfeHarrison]

Anyone know why the monthly streetcar meeting was canceled for next week? I thought we were supposed to finally have pricing announced at this one.

Pricing? It will be free to ride.

Pricing for construction, 60% estimate, initial GMP, whatever you want to call it.

[MetcalfeHarrison]

My understanding is that the 60% design cost estimate for construction has been targeted for the April board meeting. The March meeting has been canceled because there are evidently no board agenda items.

Gotcha, thanks for the update! I like checking out the agenda every month just to see where everything's at so I was surprised when nothing got posted yet.

[iamjacobm]

I didn't get a picture as I was driving by, but there were some old railroad ties and rusty rails piled up on the NE corner of Saddle Creek and Leavenworth by the QT which I assume is from the old streetcar tracks they paved over decades ago.

[Brad]

I didn't get a picture as I was driving by, but there were some old railroad ties and rusty rails piled up on the NE corner of Saddle Creek and Leavenworth by the QT which I assume is from the old streetcar tracks they paved over decades ago.

Could be that, or the Missouri Pacific Railroad also had a line that crossed both 48th and Leavenworth just west of Saddle Creek.

[nebport5]

On Grow Omaha the Mayor mentioned the streetcar colors would be like the parking kiosk colors. So I guess, blue, purple, green, orange, etc.

Also interesting to note, and while unpopular on this forum, Jean said eventually the streetcar would go to the airport.

[skinzfan23]

I don’t think it’s unpopular necessarily but a very costly extension that would be nice, but even if that ever did happen, it would be at least a decade or 2 away.

[Busguy2010]

I don’t think it’s unpopular necessarily but a very costly extension that would be nice, but even if that ever did happen, it would be at least a decade or 2 away.

Let's get that light rail plan started then... Streetcar is the least favorable option between the airport and Downtown.

Light rail>regular bus or ORBT>streetcar

[Dusty]

On Grow Omaha the Mayor mentioned the streetcar colors would be like the parking kiosk colors. So I guess, blue, purple, green, orange, etc.

Also interesting to note, and while unpopular on this forum, Jean said eventually the streetcar would go to the airport.

Not a fan of these colors together. Also, it makes it harder to expansion lines for future. I just like the solid color concept even if you used these colors. Blue line, purple line, orange line, etc with the matching trains colors.

[Dusty]

I don’t think it’s unpopular necessarily but a very costly extension that would be nice, but even if that ever did happen, it would be at least a decade or 2 away.

Let's get that light rail plan started then... Streetcar is the least favorable option between the airport and Downtown.

Light rail>regular bus or ORBT>streetcar

I brought this up on the airport thread, but we can have a hybrid model that mixes streetcar and light rail together. It could be built out in sections. This is also part of my transit vision I'm pushing for the city. This would become more of a tourist train from the airport to service the 10th street corridor to connect the attractions. Also from the airport would be an express bus going down 75 to a central hub on i-480.

I did suggest to Metro to start this 10th street line. I want people to get use to using this line. If we want to upgrade the line to rail in time, the door is left open to make it happen.

[S.O.Boy]

On Grow Omaha the Mayor mentioned the streetcar colors would be like the parking kiosk colors. So I guess, blue, purple, green, orange, etc.

Also interesting to note, and while unpopular on this forum, Jean said eventually the streetcar would go to the airport.

I guess Black and Blue are out of the question.

[Renovator2559]

On Grow Omaha the Mayor mentioned the streetcar colors would be like the parking kiosk colors. So I guess, blue, purple, green, orange, etc.

Also interesting to note, and while unpopular on this forum, Jean said eventually the streetcar would go to the airport.

Honestly, the speed wouldn't be an issue as the distance from airport to downtown is not that much, also wouldn't they be able to increase the speed of the streetcar along Abott, with no stops; as to reduce travel time?

Now that I have thought about the possibility of a bus route. I don't think the bus route would even work, unless there was a transit cetner or "union station" where most bus routes converge; with amenities such as restaurants and the like