Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City’s streetcar system is preparing to reach the riverfront, opening a new chapter for public transit and riverfront access in the city.
KC Streetcar announced that its Riverfront Extension will begin passenger service on Monday, May 18, 2026, after an 11 a.m. press conference and community celebration at the riverfront.
The public is invited to attend and take part in the first rides along the new connection. Additional details about the opening events will be shared closer to the date, with updates available at https://kcstreetcar.org/rfe-grand-opening/.
The $62 million project adds 0.7 miles to the streetcar line, extending service from 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard in the River Market across the Grand Boulevard Bridge to the midpoint of Berkley Riverfront. Once open, all streetcar trips will continue to the riverfront, creating a continuous route from the University of Missouri–Kansas City on the south end to the Missouri River on the north.
“The Riverfront Extension connects neighborhoods, opens the river to more Kansas Citians, and shows what’s possible when we invest in smart, sustainable transit,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
“From UMKC to the riverfront, the KC Streetcar keeps weaving our city together, and the extension is the latest proof that we’re committed to making Kansas City more accessible for all.”
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KC Streetcar Authority Executive Director Tom Gerend said the project marks a meaningful return to the city’s riverfront roots.
“We are reconnecting our riverfront for the next generation,” Gerend said.
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He added that the extension will serve as the new northern end of a 6.5-mile transit spine linking the riverfront, downtown, UMKC and the areas between.
The extension is now in pre-revenue operations, the final phase before public service begins. Streetcars are already moving along the new route as crews continue system testing and operators complete training.
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During this period, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians are urged to stay alert near the tracks. Pedestrians and cyclists should not use the Grand Boulevard/Berkley Parkway bridge; the Town of Kansas Bridge is the safe alternative.
Construction includes more than 8,300 feet of new track, about 12,000 feet of overhead wire, 76 new overhead catenary poles, one traction power substation, and 296 posts with nearly 2,200 linear feet of chain.
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The project also arrives as Berkley Riverfront continues to evolve. A new Grand Boulevard Bike and Pedestrian Bridge is expected to open in early May, adding a protected route for walkers and cyclists. At the Riverfront Stop, the CPKC Pavilion will bring an artistic canopy, sculptural lighting, real-time arrival signs and improved passenger areas, creating a prominent gateway to Berkley Riverfront, CPKC Stadium and future development.
