Key issues to consider with transit construction project timelines
Streetcar stop in Kansas City showing the level boarding platform similar to Omaha
Now that streetcar track construction has started, I am even more excited about what our streetcar stops will look like, and I want to share more information to give you an idea of what to expect when the streetcar is up and running in the fall of 2028.
The streetcar stop platforms will be one of the last parts of the system built, as they will go in place after the track has been completed. We are currently working on fine-tuning the specific details of these stations.
The initial route will feature 16 total stops between 40th & Farnam Street to the west and 10th & Capitol Avenue on the east end. Three of the stops will have center-island platforms in the middle of the street, and the rest will be side platforms at the curb. In most cases, these side platforms will be on the right-hand side of the street. All stop platforms will feature a raised platform center for level boarding at the two center doors of the streetcar.
How will the stops be accessed? The plan for each stop includes improvements to adjacent pedestrian infrastructure, such as sidewalks, to make it easy for people to get to the platform and board the streetcar. We will be paying attention to details such as ramps and grades for access without steps while also making sure that streets are safer to cross than before. Some intersections will feature specific safety improvements compared to what they looked like before construction started.
What will be included at each stop? Each platform will feature at least 70 feet of platform length to accommodate the streetcar vehicle, which measures about 78 feet long. Platforms will be about 15 feet in width to have room for the basic amenities: a bench, small shelter, electronic sign with real-time information and a trash receptacle. The intent is to provide basic amenities for passengers with a small amount of coverage from the elements, as passengers should not have to wait long, with the trains running every 10 minutes most of the day. The real-time data screens will include information on the estimated arrival of the next two trains in addition to any event service or service disruptions that may be occurring. There are no fare machines as the streetcar will not require a fare to ride!
Our stops will be similar to other recently constructed streetcar systems, so let’s take a look at some of these examples as well as specific designs and renderings of Omaha’s stops.
First, the most common side platform design is essentially an extension of the sidewalk curb, very similar to the ORBT stops along the Dodge Street corridor.
Kansas City example of a side stop platform at Union Station
Most stops will feature the side platform design, and in most cases, these stops will be on the right-hand side of the Farnam or Harney one-way streets. The next two graphics show an example stop at 26th & Farnam, where the track will be on the north side of the street, and the stop platforms will also be on the north side, adjacent to the track. This is currently a challenging intersection with two streets ending at Farnam: 26th Avenue to the west, north of Farnam, and 26th Street to the east, running south of Farnam. With the streetcar project, the street width of Farnam will be narrowed slightly, making it easier for pedestrians to cross, and improvements will be made to the crosswalks here.
Rendering showing what the 26th & Farnam streetcar stop will look like upon completion
Overlay of street improvements to the area of the 26th & Farnam stop – this is currently a “no-man’s land” without an official pedestrian crossing across Farnam Street
Center island stops will have the same passenger amenities, with the main difference being that there will be a streetcar track on either side of the platform with trains running in both directions. The platforms will be located in the center lane of Farnam Street, between Turner Boulevard and 40th Street, which is a space otherwise used for left turns by motorists. The platform will provide a safe place for passengers to board and alight the streetcars, out of the way of traffic. With the island platforms, passengers will need to be careful before crossing the street. There will be specific safety improvements to assist pedestrians.
Example of a center island platform stop in Tacoma, Wash., showing pedestrian improvements for crossing the street
Rendering of the 34th & Farnam stop platform after completion of the project
Overview graphic showing how the center island platform will look at the 34th & Farnam stop
The two streetcar stops that will be a little different from these examples are the end stops at 39th & Farnam on the west and 10th & Capitol on the east. At these stops, consideration is made for the streetcars to take a brief dwell before continuing on the route.
On the west end, at 39th & Farnam, the streetcar will pause so the operator (the person who “drives” the streetcar) can change ends on the streetcar and reverse direction to head back east. There will be space just past the platform to stage an extra streetcar vehicle. Passengers will be required to exit the streetcar vehicle at 39th & Harney so the operator can make a walk through the vehicle and clean out any items that may have been left in the car.
On the east end, at 10th & Capitol, the streetcar should continue through the loop without pausing long, unless it is out of space or ahead of schedule and running too close to the streetcar in front of it. In each case, the streetcar track will have its own lane to be out of the way of regular traffic at this stop so that the streetcar can take a dwell without holding up traffic.
Overlay of the street improvements and streetcar stop platform at 39th & Harney
Overlay of the street improvements and streetcar stop platform at 10th & Capitol
The new streetcar stops will not only make it safe for streetcar passengers to get around the city but also for all pedestrians who visit the urban core.
I hope this gives you a better idea of what to expect when our streetcar service gets up and running and that it provides an introduction of how to access the streetcar. Hopefully, it also gets you more excited about the upcoming opening of the streetcar!
Be sure to keep updated on the Omaha Streetcar website at omahastreetcar.org, register for our monthly webinars here, or check out previous webinars and other videos here.
Eric Miller is the Streetcar Operations Manager for the City of Omaha. Erik has a 21-year career in the transit industry that includes work in both the private and public sectors and work on planning and implementing bus and rail projects for transit agencies all across the country.