Rolling to the River
KC Streetcar Rolls to the Riverfront as the Riverfront Extension Officially Enters the Testing Phase
Kansas City made history this week by welcoming a streetcar to Berkley Riverfront for the very first time.
The KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension reached a major milestone this week as a streetcar officially rolled onto the newly constructed tracks that lead from the River Market to Berkley Riverfront, stopping at the newly build Riverfront Streetcar Stop. The first “live wire” test took place on Wednesday, December 17, marking the first time the system was energized and the first time a streetcar has ever traveled to the riverfront in Kansas City’s history.
“After years of planning, design, and construction we’re thrilled to see the first streetcar reach the riverfront,” said Tom Gerend, Executive Director, KC Streetcar Authority. “We are one step closer to realizing our vision of a connected and vibrant riverfront that will serve all of Kansas City for decades to come.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s live wire test, crews conducted “dead wire” testing with a specially built clearance cart, designed by the Riverfront Extension construction team. This clearance cart was used to verify that the streetcar can safely travel on the tracks and pass surrounding and adjacent structures and track elements.
Testing will continue for the next couple of months. The current phase, called Systems Integrated Testing (SIT), is expected to continue into early 2026, weather permitting. The following phase, Pre-Revenue Operations (PRO), will focus on operator training, safety drills, and real-world service simulations.
During all phases of testing, vehicular and pedestrian traffic may experience minor delays with the possibility of the closure of Grand Boulevard between 3rd Street and Berkley Riverfront for safety precautions.
While testing continues, crews are completing key finishing touches, including:
- Installing communications, train signals, and traffic signals
- Completing shelters and station stops
- Restoring sidewalks and curbs in Berkley Riverfront
- Final concrete and cleanup of the new two-way cycle track
- Clearing laydown yards at Berkley Riverfront, 3rd Street, and Grand Boulevard
Click here for high-resolution images of the first streetcar test to Berkley Riverfront.
The KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension remains on schedule to be completed in early 2026. Once open, the 0.7-mile extension will connect riders from UMKC to the heart of Berkley Riverfront, a five-minute walk to CPKC Stadium, home of the KC Current. Read more about the Riverfront Extension project here: https://kcstreetcar.org/about-streetcar/streetcar-riverfront-extension/ .
