Some 70 North Kansas City residents recently voiced opinions on a possible Clay County extension of the Kansas City Streetcar.
Held at the North Kansas City YMCA, the effort is part of the NorthRail Streetcar Study to update a previous evaluation conducted eight years ago.
The residents gave their opinions on recommended route options from the current terminus in River Market to Heart of America Bridge, across the bridge and travel north to 32nd Avenue. Eight possible combinations ranged in cost from $177.4 million to $204.2 million, if all legs were completely constructed. Both of the river crossing options would use the Heart of America Bridge.
River Market Options to Heart of America
• River Market Option No. 1 ($28.6 million): This route would extend the current streetcar east along both Third and Fifth streets to Missouri Route 9, with two potential stops, including one near Columbus Park.
• River Market Option No. 2 ($25.7 million): A two-way extension east along Third Street to Missouri Route 9, with one potential stop.
Heart of America Bridge Options
• River Crossing Option No. 1 ($32.9 million): A single dedicated streetcar lane across the east side of the Heart of America Bridge, next to a multiuse trail, extending to 10th Avenue in North Kansas City.
• River Crossing Option No. 2 ($22 million): A single, dedicated streetcar lane across the west side of the Heart of America Bridge, across from an eastside, multiuse trail, to 10th Avenue in North Kansas City.
Route Options in North Kansas City
• North Kansas City Option No. 1 ($129.7 million): Two dedicated streetcar lanes that run along the middle of Burlington Avenue between 10th and 29th avenues, with five potential stops.
• North Kansas City Option No. 2 ($142.7 million): Two streetcar lanes shared with motor traffic that stretch two blocks east from 10th Avenue to run along the middle of Swift Avenue to 32nd Avenue, with seven potential stops.
The NorthRail study has found that each recommended route option is feasible to build. Resident feedback from the June event is being used to help officials determine whether sufficient support exists for a northern streetcar extension and, if yes, how a preferred route based on public consensus could be implemented and financed.
North Kansas City officials will review the feedback later this summer and determine a final route preference in the fall. The NorthRail study is estimated to be complete by the end of 2022.
The study is being conducted by the Kimley-Horn consulting firm in conjunction with the city of North Kansas City, the Kansas City Streetcar Authority and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. Support is also being provided by Kansas City, the Mid-America Regional Council and Missouri Department of Transportation.
