January 13, 2026
Creating a Safer, Connected Corridor: Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension
Article by Brian Nelson, Project Manager
The Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension opened on October 24, 2025, adding 3.5 miles of new track, extending service south from Union Station to the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) campus.
The extension acted like a true road diet – reallocating vehicle lanes to enhance safety and usability for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. The work on Main Street included 3.5-route miles of curbside running track, two single crossovers, one double crossover, and a tie-in with the existing system at Pershing. Other corridor improvements for the Main Street Extension included signalized crossings, signage, and innovative pavement markings.
Active transportation advocates on the City Council strongly supported the project because it created a safer, more balanced street.
Integrating Modern Safety Elements
One key design consideration was the streetcar’s dynamic envelope—the space surrounding the vehicle that must remain clear as it moves along the tracks. While streetcars cannot deviate from the rails, lane and parking stripes were positioned so operators could safely pass vehicles whose tires remained within the designated boundaries and exercise caution when tires encroached.
Another key design element was an innovative addition—exclusive lane striping and specialty markings to clearly define the shared corridor for all users. Red methyl methacrylate (MMA) markings were installed adjacent to the track slab for durability, visibility, and compliance with Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards. Field testing verified thickness, color contrast, and adherence to specifications, while installation was coordinated around night work and active streetcar operations to minimize disruption. These markings created a highly visible framework that guided drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists while providing streetcar operators with a predictable path through the corridor.
The combination of narrower vehicle lanes, dedicated streetcar space, and upgraded crossings transformed the corridor into a more livable and connected street, supporting both safe transit operations and enhanced multimodal access.
Construction in an Active Corridor
From the outset, the project required careful planning and detailed construction coordination to connect to an active streetcar system, operating in a busy active and multi-modal urban corridor. Constructing 3.5 miles of track in a dense corridor shared with buses, cars, bikes, and pedestrians posed complex construction challenges. Each block presented unique challenges and opportunities to improve safety, reliability, and the overall rider experience.
The tie-in with the existing system at Pershing was completed before the rest of the extension went online, allowing the team to make operational adjustments to scheduling, spacing, and layover procedures under real-world conditions without disrupting downtown service.
Sequencing work to maintain ongoing streetcar service required meticulous coordination and a project-first mentality.
Testing, Certification, and Operations
Before opening, the extension underwent a thorough testing and certification process during regular service hours. Testing assessed arrival and departure times, streetcar spacing, turn-back operations, and layover procedures.
Simulated runs provided operators with hands-on experience on the new alignment, while downtown service continued uninterrupted. The testing phase concluded with a formal Safety and Security Certification Verification, confirming readiness for daily service.
Managing construction, operations, and certification simultaneously added complexity but was essential to delivering a high-quality, reliable system.
Now spanning just under six miles, the streetcar provides the City with a strong multimodal foundation that strengthens Kansas City’s transit network for the long term. In November 2025, the system set an all-time record with more than 340,000 riders, which is more than double the average daily ridership and more than twice any previous November total since service began in 2016.
Through careful planning, phased construction, and close coordination with operations, the Main Street Extension delivers a safe, reliable, and highly functional streetcar system.