TRACKING PROGRESS
Streetcar work begins in Bricktown
Barricades are going up along Sheridan Avenue in Bricktown as rail installation begins for the downtown streetcar system that eventually will run 6.9 miles, covering the span of downtown and its surrounding districts and historic neighborhoods.
The Bricktown Canal also is being drained this week for cleaning, leaving the entertainment district without one of its top attractions. Mallory O’Neill, Bricktown district manager, said any pain associated with the canal will be short-lived.
“We’re looking at it taking about seven to 10 days,” O’Neill said. “They’re confident it will be back and full by Valentine’s Day.”
The streetcar project, however, will be ongoing through 2018. One restaurant, West, cited the upcoming
street lane closures as one of the reasons for its closing last week.
O’Neill, however, is hoping coordination with the city, designers and contractors will minimize the pain.
“They are going to keep traffic open as much as possible,” O’Neill said. “The city is communicating with stakeholders, property owners and merchants. They are keeping us updated.”
When completed in late 2018, Oklahoma City will have two streetcar routes. The 2.3-mile Bricktown loop will provide an option for frequent service between Bricktown, Myriad Gardens, Chesapeake Energy Arena and the future MAPS 3 convention center.
The 4.6-mile main line will serve the central business district, Midtown, Bricktown and Automobile Alley. By doubling up on some parts of the route, the main line and Bricktown loop will create 6.9 miles of what consultants call “service track.”
David Todd, MAPS 3 program director, said the project is being coordinated to impede only in short segments and to limit obstruction to businesses.
The groundbreaking is set for Feb. 7, but utility work is starting this week along the southernmost eastbound travel lane of Sheridan Avenue. That work will require the temporary loss of parallel parking spots along the stretch.
As utility crews with Cimarron Construction move east along Sheridan, work will start on the overhead catenary system foundations. The schedule calls for crews to continue to move east along Sheridan Avenue, then south along Joe Carter Avenue, and then west along Reno Avenue to E.K. Gaylord Avenue.
Bricktown property owners and business owners are being advised the cumulative duration for each segment will be about five months.
Construction also will include electric charging stations and shelter stops.
“Bricktown is the first, and we might get to see it go into action before anywhere else downtown,” O’Neill said. “We believe this will bring more people to the district. It will be great for all of downtown, allowing people to go from district to district without using their cars and trying to find a place to park.”