Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Trains, Planes, and Automobiles (and Streetcars!).

Moderators: nebugeater, Omaha Cowboy, Brad, BRoss

User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

Second Concrete pour happened this morning.
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

Brad wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 10:33 am Second Concrete pour happened this morning.
On 10th Street? They only did half of that 160-foot section on Tuesday.
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

stadsborgare wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 2:42 pm
Brad wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 10:33 am Second Concrete pour happened this morning.
On 10th Street? They only did half of that 160-foot section on Tuesday.
Correct, second pour on 10th street.

Farman in Midtown crossing is getting close, possible next week? The rails are in and parallel with the rubber, but they still need more rebar under them.
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

Brad wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 2:48 pm
stadsborgare wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 2:42 pm
Brad wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 10:33 am Second Concrete pour happened this morning.
On 10th Street? They only did half of that 160-foot section on Tuesday.
Correct, second pour on 10th street.

Farman in Midtown crossing is getting close, possible next week? The rails are in and parallel with the rubber, but they still need more rebar under them.
8th Street between the parks is getting close, too.
Image
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

stadsborgare wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 3:17 pm 8th Street between the parks is getting close, too.
Image
Oh yeah, putting in the forms. That could be early next week for concrete. I was hoping to get down there this weekend but with Berkshire in town, I might avoid it.
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

"Streetcar Scoreboard"

I wanted to measure the progress in some way, because obviously I have too much time on my hands, and here's what I come up with.

There are 71 blocks of streetcar line that must be completed, not counting the roughly 1 block of track from the line to the maintenance facility.

Actually because the way they are constructing it, they are putting in the westbound rails from Turner Blvd to 40th, then when they are finished with that, they will work their way back from 40th to Turner for the eastbound rails. So I count each block there twice.

Then it turns 1 block south to Harney Street for the trip back to downtown.

So, of those 71 blocks, pavement is dug up for 8 blocks in Midtown, plus I think about 8 more in downtown. That's 16. Maybe there's more than 8 in downtown, but I haven't walked up Farnam toward the Courthouse to determine what is mainline prep from underground utilities work. So I'll go with 16 for now.

Then of those 16, rails are on site at 4 of them. 3 of them have the rails aligned. 2 of them have forms and rebar put up under and around the rails, and 1 has had cement poured.

So the score at the beginning of May is 71-16-4-3-2-1.

It's going to be an exciting summer.
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

Photo Update:

1. Farnam Street Looking West from 8th Street.
20260502881A5984.jpg
2. 8th Street looking north from Farnam
20260502881A5986.jpg
3. 8th street looking south from Douglas
20260502881A6038.jpg
4. 10th street looking north from Dodge
20260502881A6053.jpg
5. Farnam at Midtown Crossing
20260502881A6127.jpg


.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
skinzfan23
City Council
Posts: 11580
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:26 am
Location: Omaha/Bellevue

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by skinzfan23 »

Great photo updates and analysis of streetcar completion.
jjjjhskr
Human Relations
Posts: 650
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:31 am
Location: O!

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by jjjjhskr »

I just realized that they’ll be replacing the 10th St bridge between Farnam and Douglas for the street car. That should be fun.
Back Home in Omaha!
MetcalfeHarrison
Home Owners Association
Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2022 1:19 pm

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by MetcalfeHarrison »

jjjjhskr wrote: Mon May 04, 2026 3:58 pm I just realized that they’ll be replacing the 10th St bridge between Farnam and Douglas for the street car. That should be fun.
It shouldn't be a bridge replacement, just putting the rail into the existing deck. I think they'll use special low-profile rail similar to what the KC riverfront extension did unless something has changed.
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

I didn't have time to stop and take a photo, but they built the curve through 10th and Capitol.
User avatar
skinzfan23
City Council
Posts: 11580
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:26 am
Location: Omaha/Bellevue

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by skinzfan23 »

Not the greatest quality, but on the Wowt city cam, you can see the streak car rails stretching for a few blocks:

Image
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

Image
Here is the curve through 10th & Capitol they're working on.


Image
Plus the finished section on 10th, before the curve.
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

Image
They did another concrete pour over on 8th Street sometime in the past week.
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

Image
There is a small section with the forms and rebar in place ready for a concrete pour sometime this week. This is in Midtown Crossing.

The track now runs continuously for a few blocks, starting by the front door of the Genesis Health Club:
Image

To the front door of the First Presbyterian Church:
Image
User avatar
thenewguy
County Board
Posts: 4290
Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:50 pm
Location: Council Bluffs

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by thenewguy »

it's been a pain for a lot of businesses, but it's encouraging to see it finally going in. Seems like it's going pretty fast now
Go Cubs Go
Stan
Library Board
Posts: 451
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2020 8:55 am

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Stan »

What's the consensus in getting a great deal of the downtown work to a good point before the CWS or are they just going to put in a lot of "Mind the mess" signs beforehand?
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

Stan wrote: Mon May 11, 2026 7:56 am What's the consensus in getting a great deal of the downtown work to a good point before the CWS or are they just going to put in a lot of "Mind the mess" signs beforehand?
Well, the points at which they are starting first - 10th Street onto Capitol, and down on 8th Street between the parks - seems to suggest to me they want those parts done first before the busy tourist season with CWS.

I mean, they could have started instead with the part up Farnam from 8th to 10th or from 10th to 13th, or the part north of the parks going under the 480 bridge, but those parts don't seem as critical.

Especially if they can get that curve from 10th onto Capitol done before the CWS, that could open up a critical intersection that handles a lot of CWS traffic.
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

Photos from today:

1. Here is where the guard rails or check rails, or restraining rails start for the curve. By the markings on the track, they are using restraining rail.
881A6445.jpg
2. Here is where the guard rails or check rails, or restraining rails start for the curve. By the markings on the track, they are using restraining rail.
881A6447.jpg
3. The curve to head east on Capitol.
881A6448.jpg
4. The intersection of 10th and Capitol
881A6449.jpg
5. Inside the Streetcar Maintenance Facility. Gravel obviously where a track will go. some day
881A6450.jpg
6. Inside the Streetcar Maintenance Facility. Gravel obviously where a track will go. some day
881A6454.jpg
7. Inside the Streetcar Maintenance Facility. This track will have an inspection pit under it and also raised platforms next to it.
881A6452.jpg
8. Now up on the platform above track level looking down at the pit.
881A6456.jpg
9. Looking down at the streetcar truck turntable.
881A6457.jpg
10. Up yet another level, again looking down at the streetcar truck turntable.
881A6458.jpg
11. Up on the upper level looking out over the Streetcar Maintenance Facility
881A6459.jpg
12. A view of the upper level
881A6460.jpg
13. A view of the riverfront from the upper level. There will be a glass curtain wall here.
881A6461.jpg
14. A view of the office area on the upper floor.
881A6462.jpg
15. Another view of the maintenance area.
881A6463.jpg
16. A view of the south side of the building.
881A6466.jpg

.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
BRoss
IT Director
Posts: 10003337
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 7:39 pm
Location: West Central Omaha

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by BRoss »

Wow, awesome update! That's cool to see the maintenance facility and elevated tracks in the inspection pit.
User avatar
skinzfan23
City Council
Posts: 11580
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:26 am
Location: Omaha/Bellevue

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by skinzfan23 »

Thanks for the update....looks great.
almighty_tuna
City Council
Posts: 106350
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:34 pm
Location: Somewhere between downtown and Colorado

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by almighty_tuna »

Fantastic update! Thanks, Brad!
User avatar
Zephyr
Human Relations
Posts: 645
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 7:35 pm
Location: Omaha

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Zephyr »

Thanks for posting those, Brad, great photos as always!
User avatar
Garrett
County Board
Posts: 4629
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 6:29 pm
Location: New York City

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Garrett »

Absolutely amazing to see it all starting to come together!
OMA-->CHI-->NYC
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

Thanks guys, glad you like them!
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

Image
Another concrete pouring - the curve at the intersection of 10th & Capitol. I suspect they want to have this intersection back open to traffic by the time of the College World Series.


Image
They are inching further west now, past 38th Street. Farnam has become one-way traffic (westbound) in the Blackstone District again.
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

I should have asked when I was on the tour the other day, but do they have 3 track crews working? Seems like once they hit their stride they could be pouring 6 days a week rotating between the three locations.

I would assume the regular street pavers should start in right behind them before too long.
User avatar
skinzfan23
City Council
Posts: 11580
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:26 am
Location: Omaha/Bellevue

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by skinzfan23 »

stadsborgare wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 7:41 am Image
Another concrete pouring - the curve at the intersection of 10th & Capitol. I suspect they want to have this intersection back open to traffic by the time of the College World Series.


Image
They are inching further west now, past 38th Street. Farnam has become one-way traffic (westbound) in the Blackstone District again.
Wow that was fast. You just posted about it on May 10th and its already paved!
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 9:11 am Wow that was fast. You just posted about it on May 10th and its already paved!
The post above it on may 7th says the curve was in place, so a few days more, but still impressive speed.
User avatar
skinzfan23
City Council
Posts: 11580
Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:26 am
Location: Omaha/Bellevue

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by skinzfan23 »

Brad wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 9:13 am The post above it on may 7th says the curve was in place, so a few days more, but still impressive speed.
Sorry I missed that, I was just looking at the pics. But one week to go from laying the track to it being paved it awesome!
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 9:16 am
Brad wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 9:13 am The post above it on may 7th says the curve was in place, so a few days more, but still impressive speed.
Sorry I missed that, I was just looking at the pics. But one week to go from laying the track to it being paved it awesome!
For sure.
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

Brad wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 8:01 am I should have asked when I was on the tour the other day, but do they have 3 track crews working? Seems like once they hit their stride they could be pouring 6 days a week rotating between the three locations.

I would assume the regular street pavers should start in right behind them before too long.
For what it's worth, yesterday when I saw the curve at 10th/Capitol having been poured, I also saw that 8th Street is still only half done from last week, and they hadn't yet poured any concrete in Midtown Crossing yet. So I don't see simultaneous concrete pours at different sites, in other words.
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

I meant like 10th street on Monday, 8th street on Tuesday, Midtown Crossing on Wednesday, back to 10th Thursday, 8th Friday, etc.
jjjjhskr
Human Relations
Posts: 650
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 11:31 am
Location: O!

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by jjjjhskr »

Brad wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 7:21 pm I meant like 10th street on Monday, 8th street on Tuesday, Midtown Crossing on Wednesday, back to 10th Thursday, 8th Friday, etc.
Brad, are you planning another construction update video? I’m starting to go through withdrawal.
Back Home in Omaha!
User avatar
Brad
Photographer
Posts: 1036458
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Brad »

jjjjhskr wrote: Sat May 16, 2026 9:13 am
Brad wrote: Thu May 14, 2026 7:21 pm I meant like 10th street on Monday, 8th street on Tuesday, Midtown Crossing on Wednesday, back to 10th Thursday, 8th Friday, etc.
Brad, are you planning another construction update video? I’m starting to go through withdrawal.
Yes, I really need to do one soon. Just been so busy with kids activities that I’ve kind of got way behind. Hockey season is over and this is the last weekend of soccer so hopefully summer starts to free up a little bit here soon.
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

They have done some things since Wednesday:

Image
They poured concrete over the remaining portion of the curve on 10th & Capitol leading through the turn, and they can pave the whole intersection now.

Image
They finished pouring the second half of the rails on 8th between Douglas and Farnam.
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

I read that all of this week they will be doing concrete placement on that whole 10th Street portion north of Dodge and that by June 8th it will be back open to traffic in both directions.
stadsborgare
Library Board
Posts: 426
Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 9:33 am
Location: Omaha Metro Area

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by stadsborgare »

They have paved the street around 10th & Capitol, plus they have poured more concrete on the tracks going halfway down Capitol Ave. towards 9th. They still have yet to do the part between the tracks and the curb, as you can see..
Image

Image

Image

Soon you'll be able to drive your car over the tracks for the first time!
User avatar
2Adam29
Home Owners Association
Posts: 229
Joined: Fri Jan 12, 2007 3:04 pm

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by 2Adam29 »

once these streets open back up people will get a lot more patience about the process. It'll be out of sight out of mind during testing, its just all the restrictive construction that's been killing the mood about downtown lately.
Erik
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1523
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 12:55 am

Re: Omaha Streetcar - CONSTRUCTION

Post by Erik »

2Adam29 wrote: Wed May 20, 2026 9:33 pm once these streets open back up people will get a lot more patience about the process. It'll be out of sight out of mind during testing, its just all the restrictive construction that's been killing the mood about downtown lately.
Considering the 30 years of persistent studies that kept coming, every time I think of streetcar I am as content as it can be - though we are just in the first phase. We almost doubled the time from tearing out the tracks to the first study under Daub (1955-1995ish and 1995ish-2025)