Memphis — Trolley Shutdown

Rail Transit Online, November 2002

Construction of the $74.6-million Medical Center extension of the Main Street Trolley will require the existing line to be closed for up to two months starting Jan. 4.  Work will take place at the intersection of Madison and Main streets and will include installing turnouts and catenary, relocating an existing station and reinforcing adjacent buildings.  January and February were selected because they are the trolley’s lowest ridership months.  Average monthly boardings total 80,000, but that’s reduced to around 54,000 during the first two months of the year.  The Memphis Area Transit Authority plans to operate a replacement service using 28-ft. (8.5 meter) shuttle buses.  The 2.5-mi. (4 km), six-station extension is due to open in March 2004.