(Feb. 16, 2016) - The Oklahoma City Council today approved modifications to the previously approved MAPS 3 Modern Streetcar route.  The change creates an additional dedicated route to better connect the MAPS 3 Park and the proposed MAPS 3 Convention Center to Bricktown.

Route 1 is the original route of 4.86 miles but adds a new section to connect the Downtown Transit Center, Automobile Alley, future intermodal hub (Santa Fe Station), Midtown, St. Anthony hospital, Bricktown, the future MAPS 3 Convention Center and the future MAPS 3 Park.

Route 2 is a 2.04-mile route that exclusively serves Bricktown, the MAPS 3 and Cox Convention center, the Myriad Botanical Gardens and the future MAPS 3 Park. It was created to better accommodate the new location of the future MAPS 3 Convention Center.

The second route will require additional track and another car, which will increase the streetcar budget by $3 million. The money will come from the MAPS 3 program contingency funds.

Criteria used to develop the route include connecting key destinations, integrating with the existing transportation network, maximizing economic development potential, optimizing system operation, the potential for expansion, technical considerations and cost projections.

Construction on the rails, which will be level with the street, is expected to begin in fall, 2016. The City is finalizing negotiations with streetcar manufacturer Brookville to construct five modern streetcars for the system.

About MAPS 3
MAPS 3 is a $777 million capital improvement program to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City. It is funded by a 1-cent tax initiative that began in April 2010 and ends in December 2017. MAPS 3 funds eight projects: Downtown Convention Center, Downtown Public Park, Modern Streetcar/Transit, Oklahoma River Improvements, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Improvements, Senior Health and Wellness Centers, Trails and Sidewalks.

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Media Contact: Kristy Yager
(405) 297-2550 / (405) 863-2831
Kristy.yager@okc.gov