Kansas City to piggyback streetcar order
Written by Douglas John BowenKansas City officials say they'll seek streetcar rolling stock through options already held by Cincinnati or Salt Lake City, which are advancing their own streetcar lines.
Should Kansas City link with Cincinnati, it would acquire cars built by CAF USA, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Besain, Spain-based Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles. The cars likely would be built at CAF USA’s plant in Elmira, N.Y.
If Kansas City seeks an assist from Salt Lake City, Siemens S70 streetcars would be the model chosen, produced by Siemens’ Sacramento, Calif., facility.
The Kansas City Council made its decision April 11, local media reported.
Last December the City Council approved a $3.6 million contract with Omaha-based engineering firm HDR Inc. for the final design of the main components of the streetcar line, linking the River Market with Union Station,\ Revenue service is hoped for by 2015
Last week Kansas City also agreed to share costs of a joint feasibility study with neighboring North Kansas City, Mo., to examine a streetcar extension across the Heart of America Bridge, which spans the Missouri River.
