USA: The Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension to the University of Missouri Kansas City opened on October 24, with celebrations including a song and video by local rap musician Kemet Coleman.
The 5·5 km extension connects the previous southern terminus at Union Station to 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard on the UMKC campus.
‘The grand opening of the Main Street Extension represents our community’s investment in generational growth, providing more opportunities for more residents and visitors alike while remaining fare-free for all’, said Mayor Quinton Lucas.
Construction and fleet expansion
Planning for the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension began in April 2017 and the project officially broke ground on April 6 2022. The $352m project has been funded with $200m of federal grants and $152m of local funding provided by the Main Street Rail Transportation Development District.
The project included eight stops, enhanced public spaces, improved pedestrian access and an order for eight more CAF Urbos 3 trams taking the fleet to 14.
Construction was led by the KC Streetcar Constructors joint venture of Herzog Contracting and Stacy & Witbeck, supported by Burns & McDonnell and JE Dunn Construction.
