Taliaferro & Browne Helps Power the Next Chapter of Kansas City’s Light Rail Expansion
The success of Kansas City’s Downtown Streetcar sparked a new era of momentum for light rail, and Taliaferro & Browne is proud to help drive it forward. Building on that success, the Main Street Extension officially opened to the public on Friday, October 24, expanding the system 3.5 miles south from Union Station to the University of Missouri – Kansas City. The new line connects Midtown, Westport, the Art Museum District, the Country Club Plaza, and UMKC, marking a major step in Kansas City’s continued investment in public transit and economic growth.
The project introduces fifteen new stations, a new Plaza Transit Center, a new Brookside Pedestrian Plaza, and significant public infrastructure upgrades, including new water mains, stormwater systems, sidewalks, and landscaping. These improvements strengthen mobility, safety, and sustainability while fostering stronger connections among people, neighborhoods, and other amenities.
Taliaferro & Browne’s Role in Driving Transit Solutions Forward
Taliaferro & Browne partnered with HDR & HNTB to provide critical civil engineering and design support for this transformative initiative. Our team evaluated and documented existing site conditions that influenced track alignment, station placement, and drainage design. T&B also delivered civil design for multiple streetcar stations and developed new storm sewer systems, including green stormwater solutions to improve resilience and stormwater management. Throughout construction, T&B provided engineering services to ensure quality, consistency, and safety across all phases of implementation.
“Projects like the Main Street Extension remind us that public infrastructure is more than asphalt, concrete, and steel. Multi-modal transportation solutions, supported by public infrastructure upgrades, are the driving force behind connecting communities and shaping how people experience their city. Being part of such a transformative project that will serve Kansas Citians for generations is an incredible honor.” – Michael Looney, T&B Senior Civil Project Manager
Looking Ahead
The grand opening of the Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension marks another milestone in Kansas City’s ongoing commitment to comprehensive transformation. For Taliaferro & Browne, it reaffirms our commitment to engineering solutions that enhance mobility, strengthen neighborhoods, and build a more connected city. The Main Street Extension reflects the power of infrastructure to move people by creating a more connected, accessible, and thriving future. As Kansas City continues to invest in sustainable and equitable infrastructure, T&B remains proud to help lay the groundwork one line, one street, and one community at a time. Next up, Kansas City Streetcar Riverfront Extension.