KCMO Downtown Streetcar

[langosta]

Yikes. Wonder how long that will take to fix

2-3 weeks according to the news

[KCPowercat]

Yikes. Wonder how long that will take to fix

2-3 weeks according to the news

Let's hope for good weather.

[SilentSpades24]

In the interim, the Main Street MAX will operate along the Streetcar line, rather than a bus bridge.

[Cratedigger]

In the interim, the Main Street MAX will operate along the Streetcar line, rather than a bus bridge.

Watching the bus try to turn right on 14th and Baltimore is painful

[langosta]

Tom Gerend has been answering questions on Twitter.

- No belief that 3 Light construction is related/potential cause
- Track slab was deteriorated with temporary repair materials. 1 track failed but all 4 are being address with a new reinstallation. “New materials, design, installation procedures” so this should be a long term fix.

Official Press Release:


Phase 1: Assessment, demolition, and slab preparation
(July 5 mobilization; July 6 start of Phase 1)
Phase 2: Rail welding and placement
Phase 3: Rail finishing and setting
Phase 4: Track slab pour and finishing
Phase 5: Curing, Testing, Resumption of Service
The repair schedule is dependent on a variety of factors including weather, field conditions, and access to materials, resources, and equipment. During repair work, Main Street is closed between Truman Road North and South, as well as the Power & Light District northbound and the Kauffman Center northbound streetcar stops.
The KC Streetcar team, together with its transit partners including the City of Kansas City, Herzog Transit, KC Streetcar Constructors, and HDR, have assessed the track condition and preliminarily concluded the failure was likely due to multiple factors including thermal expansion and degradation of the streetcar track slab and related repair materials.

[WoodDraw]

Just out of curiosity, did they pull crews from the extension line to fix this or new group?

[TheLastGentleman]

[TheUrbanRoo]

“Having gone two years without a normal Main Street and likely to go two more, why not explore making the streetcar lanes from 27th on just dedicated to the streetcars and allow the calmer Main we all now know to continue?”

-Mayor Q

https://twitter.com/quintonlucaskc/stat ... RPpXS0iFBA

[bones.25]

“Having gone two years without a normal Main Street and likely to go two more, why not explore making the streetcar lanes from 27th on just dedicated to the streetcars and allow the calmer Main we all now know to continue?”

-Mayor Q

https://twitter.com/quintonlucaskc/stat ... RPpXS0iFBA

10000000% in favor of this! You just need something to prevent cars from getting into streetcar lanes. One lane for cars in each direction on main is plenty especially if you synchronize the stop lights.

[TheLastGentleman]

I walked most of the length of the extension, and Main is a total “stroad” even with all the construction. There is absolutely space to give over entirely to the streetcar

[bobthebiker]

When my eyes were opened about stroads it was upsetting to see how many there are in KC.

Not that it's not a problem everywhere in North America but it they're everywhere in Midtown. Broadway, main, 43rd, Troost. I know I'm missing some.

100% behind dedicated lanes.

[kboish]

“Having gone two years without a normal Main Street and likely to go two more, why not explore making the streetcar lanes from 27th on just dedicated to the streetcars and allow the calmer Main we all now know to continue?”

-Mayor Q

https://twitter.com/quintonlucaskc/stat ... RPpXS0iFBA

10000000% in favor of this! You just need something to prevent cars from getting into streetcar lanes. One lane for cars in each direction on main is plenty especially if you synchronize the stop lights.

He is tweeting this morning that he and Bunch will introduce an ordinance to implement his tweet to action.

Following up here, America’s Councilman Eric Bunch and I will be presenting an ordinance soon to make sure this gets done. Safer routes for all are key to a safer city. This will make for a better experience for all living, working and traversing in our city.

https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/stat ... 46304?s=20

[DaveKCMO]

That's great! They should also be passing an ordinance to put the expiring bus tax back on the ballot... tick, tock.

[Imarealperson]

Should w there be some sort of canopy over the tracks eventually? Seems like the streetcar has trouble if there’s too much rain, snow or heat.

[TheUrbanRoo]

The Mayor really wants to keep the dedicated lanes on Main St. Can’t wait to hear what the opposition says. This is a no-brainer, especially since everyone’s already gotten used to functioning with a limited Main St.

https://twitter.com/quintonlucaskc/stat ... RPpXS0iFBA

[grovester]

The Mayor really wants to keep the dedicated lanes on Main St. Can’t wait to hear what the opposition says. This is a no-brainer, especially since everyone’s already gotten used to functioning with a limited Main St.

https://twitter.com/quintonlucaskc/stat ... RPpXS0iFBA

Actually seems pretty smart to bring it up late in the process as opposed to the planning stages.

[FangKC]

https://twitter.com/TomGerend/status/16 ... 30859?s=20

[DaveKCMO]

And we're back and up and running with full service today (Friday, July 21). Thanks for your patience!

https://twitter.com/kclightrail/status/ ... 9063366661

[smh]

And we're back and up and running with full service today (Friday, July 21). Thanks for your patience!

https://twitter.com/kclightrail/status/ ... 9063366661

Dave, Curious what/if you're hearing anything about concerns this might happen elsewhere on the line. Is it safe to say that b/c this was the section installed before "actual" streetcar construction began it used a different blend of materials or something like that?

Slightly related, it would be interesting (to me, haha) to read something about maintenance regimes on other systems, particularly in Europe where lines are more extensive. I know in Philly they shut the entire system down for two weeks in the summer in what they call the Trolley Blitz (currently underway). During this time they do extensive maintenance to both the at-grade and underground portions of the system. It is an interesting approach...but pretty inconvenient for riders.

[rxlexi]

Dave, Curious what/if you're hearing anything about concerns this might happen elsewhere on the line. Is it safe to say that b/c this was the section installed before "actual" streetcar construction began it used a different blend of materials or something like that?

Slightly related, it would be interesting (to me, haha) to read something about maintenance regimes on other systems, particularly in Europe where lines are more extensive. I know in Philly they shut the entire system down for two weeks in the summer in what they call the Trolley Blitz (currently underway). During this time they do extensive maintenance to both the at-grade and underground portions of the system. It is an interesting approach...but pretty inconvenient for riders.

Both good questions, I'm curious too! Would never have given much thought to maintenance schedules before, now you've got me thinking...