Next Stop: UMKC

Kansas City’s Long Awaited KC Streetcar Extension to UMKC Begins Service October 24

Kansas City, in partnership with the Kansas City Streetcar Authority and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, is proud to announce the grand opening of the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension to the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC). The grand opening celebration is planned for the morning of Friday, October 24, 2025 with an opening to public passenger service beginning immediately after.

The KC Streetcar Main Street Southern Extension adds 3.5 miles to the existing downtown streetcar route, connecting the current southern terminus at Union Station to 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard on the UMKC campus. This expansion brings fare-free, zero-emission transit service to Kansas City’s most densely populated neighborhoods, bustling business districts, world-class cultural institutions, and thriving academic communities. With this extension, the streetcar system will span nearly six miles from the City Market to UMKC, providing an essential north-south transit spine through the heart of Kansas City. Additional information about the opening celebrations and service details will be shared in the coming weeks.

“October 24th will be a day to remember and celebrate as Kansas Citians ride into the future of public transportation, connecting neighborhoods in the urban core like never before,” said Mayor Lucas. “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. Mark your calendars to join us,” continued Lucas.

Planning for the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension began in April 2017, and the project officially broke ground on April 6, 2022. With a total cost of $352 million, the extension is fully funded through a combination of federal and local funding.

“The KC Streetcar Main Street Extension is a game changer—together we are delivering the largest transit project in our region’s history and the realization of a long-term vision for a more connected and vibrant Kansas City.” said Michael Collins, Chair of the KC Streetcar Authority Board of Directors.

The expansion includes 15 new stops, enhanced public spaces, improved pedestrian access, the addition of 8 new streetcar vehicles, bringing the fleet total to 14, and connections to regional transit. More than 36,785 feet of rail, 40,000 feet of electrical wire, and 353 Overhead Catenary System poles were installed for this extension.

Other community improvements include:

• New Plaza Transit Center connecting buses and streetcar routes
• Landscaping, medians, and other streetscape elements, including the replacement of:
  • 20,000+sq. ft. of crosswalks
  • 145,000+ sq. ft. of sidewalks
  • 32,000+ linear ft. of curb
  • 31,000+ sq. ft. of ADA ramps
• Construction of pedestrian plaza near 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard to connect to the Tolley Track Trail and local shops.

Over the past few months, extensive testing has been conducted on vehicles, tracks, substations, signals, and systems along the extension. Key components of the testing included platform interface, validation of the train control system, train-to-wayside communication (TWC) interface, track switch operations, ride quality assessments, speed tests, and more. The project is currently in the Pre-Revenue, or Pre-Passenger, Operations phase. During this stage, streetcar operators, supervisors, and relevant staff undergo thorough training and familiarization with the new route to prepare for passenger service.

The KC Streetcar Main Street Extension is a 3.5-mile extension of the KC Streetcar System that will connect the current southern terminus at Union Station to the University of Missouri – Kansas City at 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard. The project is overseen by the joint partnership of the City of Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO), the KC Streetcar Authority (KCSA) and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), and funded through $200m in federal grant funds provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and $152m in local funds provided by the Main Street Rail Transportation Development District (TDD). The City of Kansas City, Missouri serves as project manager of the Main Street Extension design and construction and is the grant recipient of the federal Capital Investment Grant helping to fund this project. Construction was led by the KC Streetcar Constructors, a joint venture between Herzog Contracting Corp. and Stacy and Witbeck and supported by Burns & McDonnell and JE Dunn
Construction.

Stay informed about the testing process and Grand Opening details by visiting http://kcstreetcar.org/grand-opening or follow Kansas City and the KC Streetcar on all social media accounts.