On Friday, October 24, the KC Streetcar Authority celebrated the grand opening of its 3.5-mile Main Street extension, expanding the line from Union Station to the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC). The project was a collaboration between the City of Kansas City, Missouri; the KC Streetcar Authority; and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA).
The extension features 15 new stops, enhanced public spaces, improved pedestrian access, and eight new streetcar vehicles. Riders can now travel the full 5.7-mile route from the River Market to UMKC at 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard.
Several speakers— including KC Streetcar Authority Executive Director Tom Gerend, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, and Congresswoman Sharice Davids—highlighted the positive impact of public transit and the strong partnerships that helped deliver the project on time and under budget.
Gerend emphasized the project’s regional importance, stating, “This is a generational project that’s going to reconnect the employment centers of downtown and the Plaza through the densest residential neighborhood, through the heart of Kansas City to our largest university—the University of Missouri–Kansas City.”
Construction began in April 2022, with the $352 million project funded through a combination of federal and local sources.
Next up for the KC Streetcar is the 0.7-mile Riverfront Extension, scheduled to open in early 2026. This project will connect the existing line at 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard in the River Market to the midpoint of Berkley Riverfront near the KC Current stadium.