The Hop (streetcar)

The Hop
(Milwaukee Streetcar)
The official logo for The Hop
Overview
Type Streetcar
Status Under Construction
Locale Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Termini Milwaukee Intermodal Station
East Side, Milwaukee
Stations 14 (with 3 more planned)
Website thehopmke.com
Operation
Planned opening November 2, 2018 (2018-11-02)[1]
Owner City of Milwaukee
Operator(s) Transdev
Technical
Line length 2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Electrification 750 V DC,[2] overhead wire
Route diagram

Phase 1
 Burns Commons
 Ogden at Astor
Ogden/Jackson
(at Van Buren)
 Ogden/Jackson
 Jackson at Juneau
 Cathedral Square
City Hall
US 18 (Wells Street)
 Wisconsin Avenue
 Michigan & Jackson
(2020)
 The Couture/BRT
Milwaukee County Transit System
(2020)
 Clybourn & Jefferson
(2020)
US 18 (East Michigan Street)
I-794 (
Lake Freeway /
East–West Freeway
)
Historic Third Ward
(between Broadway and Milwaukee St.)
Historic Third Ward
(at Milwaukee Public Market)
Milwaukee River
 St. Paul at Plankinton
 Intermodal
Amtrak
 Highland Avenue
 Kilbourn Avenue
Wisconsin Center
maintenance facility

The Hop, also known as the Milwaukee Streetcar, is a new modern streetcar line under construction in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. The 2.5-mile (4.0 km)[3] line will connect the Milwaukee Intermodal Station to the proposed "Couture" high-rise and connect Downtown to the Lower East Side and Historic Third Ward neighborhoods.[4] The first construction work on the project took place in late 2016, and construction of the line itself began in spring 2017. Testing and operator training are under way, and service is expected to begin on November 2, 2018.[1]

Background

In 1860, Milwaukee opened the first line of its original streetcar system using horse-drawn streetcars. The system continued to grow in the late 19th century and into the early 20th century, culminating in a large network of electric streetcars.[5][6][7]

On March 2, 1958, the city's last streetcar route was closed.[8]

Route description

The originally designed route had streetcars traveling from E. Ogden Ave. and N. Farwell Ave to N. Van Buren St./N. Jackson St. The streetcar would have traveled north on N. Van Buren St. and south on N. Jackson St. to E. Wells St. To reduce utility relocation costs, this part of the route was altered to have two-way running on N. Jackson St. between E. Odgen Ave and E. Kilbourn Avenue.

After a brief segment of two-way running on E. Kilbourn Ave, the route connects with N. Broadway (southbound running) and N. Milwaukee St. (northbound running). Two-way running will resume at E. St. Paul Ave. After crossing the Milwaukee River, It will then operate on W. St. Paul Ave. in both directions to N. 4th St. at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station.

In October 2015, the project received a federal grant which will cover approximately half the cost of a spur to the lakefront.[9] This spur to N. Lincoln Memorial Dr. will go via E. Michigan St. and E. Clybourn St, and is expected to commence service in 2019.[10]

The route's carhouse, its storage and maintenance facility, is on 4th Street, under the on-ramps to bridges across the Milwaukee River.[11]

The City of Milwaukee has applied for a TIGER Grant to gain federal funds to fund 50% of the system's extension up 4th St. towards the new Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center and the Bronzeville neighborhood.[12]

History

Funding and approval

The total cost to construct the streetcar is estimated to be $123.9 million.[13] The project was approved by the Milwaukee Common Council on January 21, 2015, and upheld on February 10, 2015, by a vote of 10 to 5.[3][14]

In mid-April 2016, the city invited bids for the construction of the project's first phase, with a June 1 due date for proposals. At that time, it was estimated that construction could begin in late summer or early fall 2016 and be completed in 2018.[15]

Construction and testing

On August 19, 2016, Omaha contractor Kiewit Infrastructure was announced as the winning bidder for the contract to construct the line, and carhouse.[11] In February 2017, it was announced that track construction was projected to begin in April 2017.[16][17][18]

Construction of the new streetcar line began in April 2017.[19] Work on utility relocation relating to the project began in 2016,[20] as did construction of the maintenance facility for the line.[21] Installation of the tracks along the route began in May 2017. By March 2018, more than 90% of the track had been installed along the initial line.

Naming rights

In October 2017, it was announced that a 12-year sponsorship deal, including naming rights, had been reached between the Potawatomi Native American community and the city of Milwaukee. Under the agreement, the Milwaukee Streetcar was formally renamed "The Hop, presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino" – The Hop, for short – in exchange for $10 million in funding from the Potawatomi.[22][23][24] These corporate sponsorship funds will also allow all Hop service to be free for the first year, city officials said.[22][23]

Rolling stock

The first streetcar for The Hop, when newly delivered, March 2018

On April 6, 2015, the city invited bids for the supply of four streetcars, with the issuing of a request for proposals to interested manufacturers.[25] In November 2015, the city awarded an $18.6-million contract to Brookville Equipment Corporation to build four "Liberty" model streetcars for Milwaukee.[26][27]

The first of five vehicles arrived in Milwaukee from Brookville on March 26, 2018, and is to begin track testing in April.[28] The first car delivered was 67 feet (20 m) long, weighing 83,000 pounds (38,000 kg; 38 t), and is expected to carry 120 to 150 passengers.[29] On May 14, 2018, the second streetcar was delivered[30] On July 26, 2018 the third streetcar was delivered.

Stations

Stop Neighborhood(s) Connections
Burns CommonsThe Lower East SideMCTS: Routes 30, 30X, Gold Line
Ogden/AstorThe Lower East SideMCTS: Routes 14, 30, 30X
Ogden/JacksonThe Lower SideMCTS: Routes 15, 30, 30X
Jackson/JuneauYankee HillMCTS: Routes 15, 33
Cathedral SquareEast TownMCTS: Routes 30, 30X, 49, 143, Brewers Line
City Hall East TownMCTS: Routes 57, Green Line
Wisconsin AvenueEast TownMCTS:Routes 14, 30, 30X, 40, 43, 44, 46, 48, 49, 143, Brewers Line, Gold Line
Historic Third WardHistoric Third WardMCTS: Routes 15, Green Line
St. Paul/PlankintonMCTS: Routes 19, 23, Blue Line
Milwaukee Intermodal StationWestownAmtrak: Hiawatha Service and Empire Builder MCTS: Routes 12, 57

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Report: Milwaukee's streetcar 'The Hop' will begin service on November 2". WTMJ. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  2. ↑ Glaszcz, Rachael; Gotter, Brian (May 16, 2018). "How will the streetcar handle Milwaukee weather?". WTMJ. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Stephenson, Crocker (February 10, 2015). "Milwaukee Common Council OKs streetcar plan". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  4. ↑ Walker, Don (January 16, 2015). "Feds approve route change for proposed Milwaukee streetcars". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  5. ↑ James B. Nelson (January 16, 2015). "Rep. Jim Steineke says Milwaukee streetcar would be '1900s style trolley'". Politifact Wisconsin. Retrieved August 19, 2016. The previous system began in 1860 with a small network of horse-drawn cars. Those lines eventually grew into a large network powered by electricity. The streetcar became an important part of the city's fabric – and the foundation for the city's electric utility.
  6. ↑ "Historical Milwaukee Streetcar Maps". The Squeaky Curd. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Speaking the Truth". The Milwaukee Streetcar. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  8. ↑ Schultz, Russell E. (1980). A Milwaukee Transport Era: The Trackless Trolley Years. Glendale, CA: Interurbans. p. 88. ISBN 0-916374-43-2.
  9. ↑ "Streetcar spur to lakefront awarded $14 million federal grant". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ Jeramey, Jannene (May 22, 2018). "City Advances Streetcar Extension Plans". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  11. 1 2 Sean Ryan (August 19, 2016). "Milwaukee hires lead streetcar contractor, allowing work to begin as early as fall". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved August 19, 2016. Kiewit Infrastructure Co. of Omaha, Neb., was selected for the estimated $60 million contract to lead the first phases of Milwaukee's streetcar construction.
  12. ↑ Spicuzza, Mary (April 29, 2016). "Milwaukee seeks $20 million grant for streetcar extension". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Capital Costs/Construction". The Milwaukee Streetcar Project. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  14. ↑ Jannene, Jeramey (February 10, 2015). "Eyes on Milwaukee: Milwaukee Streetcar Approved". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  15. ↑ Spicuzza, Mary (April 19, 2016). "City opens bidding to lead Milwaukee streetcar construction project". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 3A. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  16. ↑ Spicuzza, Mary (February 17, 2017). "Milwaukee Streetcar route construction to begin in April". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  17. ↑ Aevermann, Kyle (February 17, 2017). "Milwaukee Streetcar Construction To Begin in April". WDJT-TV. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  18. ↑ Wainscott, Kent (February 17, 2017). "Construction of Milwaukee streetcar to begin in April". WISN-TV. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  19. ↑ Handelman, Luke (April 4, 2017). "'Huge project': Welding of steel begins as construction gets underway on controversial streetcar". WITI. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  20. ↑ Jannene, Jeramey (February 17, 2017). "Streetcar Track Construction Starts in April". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  21. ↑ Spicuzza, Mary (April 18, 2016). "City opens bidding to lead Milwaukee streetcar construction project". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  22. 1 2 Spicuzza, Mary; Glauber, Bill (October 7, 2017) [online date October 6]. "Streetcar gains sponsor: Potawatomi Hotel has inked $10 million deal for 12 years". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. pp. 1A, 10A. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  23. 1 2 Keith, Theo (October 6, 2017). "Milwaukee streetcar to be named "The Hop" under deal with Potawatomi, free rides for a year". WITI. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  24. ↑ Kirchen, Rich (October 6, 2017). "Potawatomi deal 'significant step' in avoiding city tax support for Milwaukee streetcar". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  25. ↑ Ryan, Sean (April 7, 2015). "Milwaukee plans to buy four initial streetcars, could pay more than $4M each". Milwaukee Business Journal.
  26. ↑ "Milwaukee Approves Agreement With U.S. Streetcar Manufacturer To Build New System's First Four Vehicles". Milwaukee Streetcar. November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  27. ↑ Vantuono, William C. (November 16, 2015). "Brookville streetcars for Milwaukee". Railway Age. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Milwaukee Streetcar – Follow Our Momentum". www.themilwaukeestreetcar.com. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  29. ↑ Spicuzza, Mary (March 26, 2018). "First new Milwaukee streetcar vehicle rolls into downtown". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  30. ↑ Delong, Katie (May 13, 2018). "2nd streetcar vehicle for 'The Hop' arrives in Milwaukee Monday". FOX 6 News. Retrieved May 5, 2018.

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