Oklahoma City, OK — Construction Begins

February 2017

Progressive Railroading reports that the ceremonial groundbreaking in early February marked the start of a two-year construction and testing period in and around downtown Oklahoma City. Service is expected to begin in December 2018, city officials said in a press release.

The streetcar is estimated to cost $131 million and will connect Bricktown with the central business district, as well as the Chesapeake Energy Center, the Midtown area and a future downtown park and convention center.

The MAPS 3 initiative is a $777 million capital improvement program funded by a 1-cent sales tax that went into effect in April 2010 and ends in December. The program will fund eight projects, including the streetcar construction.

"The MAPS 3 OKC Streetcar is one of the most ambitious projects in Oklahoma City's history, and it will forever transform the way we live, shop, work, play, eat and get around downtown and the surrounding districts," said Mayor Mick Cornett according to Progressive Railroading. "We can expect to create memorable public spaces and increased private development like locally owned shops, restaurants and more housing options."