Part of Trolley Trail relocating for KC Streetcar. Here’s what trail users need to know
Work begins this week on the relocation of the northern point of the Harry Wiggins Trolley Track Trail to make way for the KC Streetcar Main Street Extension, the KC Streetcar Authority announced.
The Trolley Trail, a popular recreational trail used by runners, bicyclists and walkers, will be shifted approximately 20 feet to the east of the existing trail between 49th and 51st streets to make way for streetcar tracks and the stop at the University of Missouri—Kansas City.
Trail users will be diverted into a barrier-protected space on Brookside Boulevard during construction. The detour is expected to last through April, streetcar officials announced.
During construction, workers will build a new retaining wall, demolish the existing trail in the area and build a new trail section, consisting of 10-foot wide poured concrete.
The retaining wall is the first phase of construction for the future UMKC streetcar stop and plaza. Workers will use the realignment of the trail to make room for a temporary yard where streetcar rail will be delivered and stored beginning this spring and continuing through construction. The Trolley Trail will remain open throughout construction.
The official groundbreaking for the Main Street Extension is expected to be held in April and will take 2 1/2 years to complete. The streetcar authority anticipates that passengers will be able to ride in 2025.
The $351 million project will extend the streetcar 3.5 miles from Union Station to the University of Missouri—Kansas City at 51st Street and Brookside Blvd. It is funded with federal Capital Investment Grant funds and a Transportation Development District.
This story was originally published February 9, 2022 at 6:58 AM.
