What’s the cost to extend KC Streetcar over the Missouri River? New study to find out

Expanding streetcar service across the Missouri River into the Northland will get a fresh look in a new study sought by the Kansas City Streetcar Authority and the Missouri Department of Transportation.

KC Streetcar and MoDOT are seeking proposals from firms to conduct a “NorthRail” extension study to develop an advanced conceptual design and updated cost estimates for extending the streetcar into North Kansas City, the Kansas City Streetcar Authority announced

The study includes public engagement, bridge/crossing assessment, and environmental and financial reviews. The study area is bounded on the west by the Armour-Swift-Burlington (ASB) Railroad Bridge and the BNSF railroad right-of-way and on the east by Charlotte Street in Kansas City and Swift Street. Proposals are due on Aug. 21.

The agencies are looking to build upon the original NorthRail Streetcar Study completed in 2014 and the 2022 NorthRail Refresh Study, which found that the Heart of America bridge was the most cost-effective way to cross the Missouri River; the extension would follow either Burlington or Swift streets in North Kansas City and how the northern expansion would connect to the existing streetcar system.

The latest study estimated that it would cost up to $221 million to extend the streetcar from the River Market north to downtown North Kansas City. A NorthRail Streetcar Study fact sheet can be found on the KC Streetcar website.

Next phases for KC Streetcar

The streetcar authority said this next phase is a prerequisite for future federal funding requests if the project proceeds. The study is anticipated to start later this year and should take about nine months.

The next phase of the NorthRail study comes as the KC Streetcar is nearing the completion of a $351 million extension of the original streetcar line south along Main Street to the University of Missouri—Kansas City campus. The Main Street extension is expected to start carrying riders next year.

In March, the KC Streetcar broke ground on the $61 million Riverfront extension project connecting the streetcar line at Third Street and Grand Boulevard to the midpoint of Berkley Riverfront Park, near the CPKC Stadium. The 0.7-mile extension is expected to be completed by the end of next year, with it opening to riders in early 2026.