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The El Paso Streetcars will begin what officials call “Pre-Revenue Service” on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. This is the next step for Sun Metro before it can launch the streetcar service for the public.

The pre-revenue operation referred to as a “dress rehearsal” will emulate the proposed hours the streetcar will run on the Downtown and Uptown loops and it will do so without a safety escort.

The City will enforce all traffic ordinances that could potentially stop the streetcar from operating. Vehicles that are parked on the streetcar tracks or impede the streetcar from moving forward, will be fined and towed.

During this period, streetcar staff will operate the proposed schedule with no passengers on board to evaluate everything from streetcar speeds to roundtrip times, as well as other items. This will ensure the streetcars are safe for public use.

City officials add “It’s important that the streetcars be allowed to operate throughout the route with no blocks or delays during the pre-revenue service period.”

Here are a few important safety tips for residents to keep in mind:

• DO NOT board the streetcar even if the doors open at a station during this testing phase.
• Avoid driving in the “Bus Lane” along Oregon, designated strictly for Streetcar and Bus use, unless a right-hand turn is necessary.
• Motorists should not go around or cut off the streetcar. The streetcar can start moving unexpectedly. If a streetcar is stopped for an extended period of time due to an interruption, it will turn on hazard lights (four-way flashers), indicating that is OK to go around it.
• Pedestrians should exercise extra caution around the streetcar.  Even at posted un-signalized crosswalks, the streetcar cannot make abrupt stops.
• Cyclists should avoid riding near streetcar tracks. Track grooves are slightly wider than the typical bike tire, so it’s easy for tires to become caught between the rails. Always cross rails at a 90 degree angle.

For more information about El Paso Streetcar safety, go online or call (915) 212-3333

Hours of Operations:

The offices of  City Representatives Peter Svarzbein and Cissy Lizarraga , in conjunction with the Planning & Inspections Department of the City of El Paso, are inviting residents to attend an interactive mapping exercise to provide input on the Streetcar Corridor Plan.

City officials share that “This will be an opportunity to voice ideas, concerns, and be an active participant in envisioning the future of the streetcar corridor.”

Citizens are invited to participate in an interactive hop-on/hop-off bus route that takes them along the North and South streetcar loops with different stops along the way.

At each stop, there will be different points of interests on a walking tour along with hosts to share some of their perspectives on a variety of topics ranging from current conditions, potential development, history of the place, or even some of the nuisances or obstacles to the growth or preservation of that specific area.

There will be two tour opportunities, morning and afternoon, where both the North and South loops will be completed and participants will then have a chance to engage in an interactive mapping exercise directed by artist Graham Coreil-Allen.

Seats are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis. Participation will be limited to 50 people per tour (100 people total). Lunch will be provided for the morning tour. Refreshments will also be provided for both the morning and afternoon.

WHO: Representatives Peter Svarzbein and Cissy Lizarraga w/ Planning & Inspections Department of the City of El Paso

WHAT: Interactive mapping exercise to provide input on the Streetcar Corridor Plan

WHEN: Saturday, October 6th
• Tour #1: 9am-12pm, Exercise #1: 1:00pm-2:30pm (lunch: 12:00pm to 1:00pm)
• Tour #2: 12pm-3pm, Exercise #2: 3:30 pm-5pm

WHERE: Begin/end at Downtown Art Museum – 1 Arts Festival Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901

*To RSVP, please email Streetcar@elpasotexas.gov, or call (915) 212-1002

The third of El Paso’s newly-renovated streetcars is set to return home to the Sun City this weekend, replete in a very vintage color combination.

Car No. 1504 will arrive at approximately 10am on Sunday, July 15, 2018, according to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.  The exact arrival time is subject to change without notice due to weather, traffic and/or other conditions beyond the CRRMA’s control.

1504 is part of the fleet of streetcars which ran in El Paso until 1974, and is the third of six vintage Presidents Conference Committee (PCC) streetcars to be refurbished and modernized as part of the $97 million El Paso Streetcar Project.

Each of the six streetcars will be painted in one of three vintage color schemes from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Car No. 1504 is the first to debut the green-on-green color scheme which was originally used on the El Paso streetcars during the 1960s.

The two streetcars that previously made their way back to El Paso featured a red-on-green color scheme.

The truck that is carrying Car No. 1504 will enter Downtown El Paso accompanied by an escort and travel to Father Rahm Avenue where it will be unloaded. To accommodate that operation, Father Rahm Avenue will be closed between El Paso Street and Santa Fe Street beginning Saturday, July 14, 2018, the night prior to its arrival. It will re-open as soon as the unloading operation is complete.

Once the streetcar has been unloaded, it will be transported into the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) at 601 South Santa Fe Street to be inspected by the CRRMA and Sun Metro.

Members of the public will not be able to access the streetcar at this time.

Motorists, pedestrian and cyclists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible. Use extreme caution and expect delays if travel in the area cannot be avoided.

The CRRMA will continue testing of the streetcars and the streetcar rail and electrical system to ensure the system is safe before Sun Metro begins operating the service for the public. In the coming weeks, residents will continue to see streetcars running along the 4.8 mile route but  won’t be able to board. Exact dates of testing are not available.

Below are some important tips to remember as we welcome the third streetcar back to El Paso:

• Other than traveling on a fixed route, the streetcars will operate much like other vehicles. They will have a maximum speed of approximately 25 miles per hour, obeying all traffic laws and — in most cases — they will travel with other vehicles in a travel lane.
• The Streetcar is powered by lines running above the street which carry 650 DC volts of electricity. Always consider every line to be fully energized. Never touch the wires or anything touching the wires.
• Don’t ride your bike along the rails your tire can get stuck between the rail and the pavement. When you cross the rails, do so at a 90-degree angle.
• Pedestrians should also use extra caution when crossing the rails or walking near the streetcar line.
• For more information, call (844) 252-RAIL.

Click here to view bilingual safety videos produced by the CRRMA as part of the El Paso Streetcar Project.

As part of the El Paso Streetcar Project, the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority will begin on-street testing on the Uptown Loop on the night of Monday, July 9, 2018.

No street closures will be required at this time. However, motorists, pedestrian and cyclists are encouraged to used extra caution and allow extra time if travelling along the route during testing.

Additionally, vehicles blocking the tracks are subject to be towed at their owner’s expense.

The Uptown Loop includes Stanton Street, Baltimore Drive, Glory Road, Oregon Street and Franklin Avenue. Overnight on-street testing will also continue on the Downtown Loop which includes Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street, Father Rahm Avenue and Santa Fe Street as well.

Officials add, “As always, all overhead lines along the streetcar route should always be considered to be energized…residents should never touch the wires or have anything touching the wires.”

To learn more about the testing phase, click here

As part of the testing phase for the El Paso Streetcar Project, the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) will soon energize the Overhead Contact System (OCS) along the Uptown Loop.

Beginning on Monday, June 18, 2018, OCS wires along the Uptown Loop — including Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Baltimore Drive, Glory Road and Oregon Street — will be fully energized with up to 650-volts DC.

CRMMA officials warn, “From this point forward, all streetcar lines should always be considered to be energized. Never touch the wires or anything touching the wires.”

During testing next week, motorists may also notice specially outfitted trucks which will ride the route with a police escort testing the wires. OCS system testing is expected to have a minimal impact on motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

OCS wires along the Downtown Loop, including Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street, Father Rahm Avenue and Santa Fe Street remain fully energized as well.

Before the City of El Paso begins operating the service for the public, the CRRMA will undertake several months of rigorous testing of the El Paso Streetcar Project to ensure the system is safe and operating as expected. That includes testing elements of the OCS such as power substations and overhead lines which will power the streetcars.

Officials with the streetcar project will again be testing the new cars Tuesday night, and some Downtown streets will be closed.

Kansas Street is scheduled to be closed to all traffic between Paisano Drive and Father Rahm Avenue beginning at approximately 10 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, according to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA).

Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue will also be closed at Kansas Street.  All streets are scheduled to re-open by 6 am on the following day.

These overnight closures are needed to accommodate testing related to the El Paso Streetcar Project. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are asked to avoid the area if possible during testing.

CRRMA officials add that temporarily parking restrictions have been marked along Kansas Street and will remain in effect through Wednesday.

Kansas Street is scheduled to be closed to all traffic between Paisano Drive and Father Rahm Avenue beginning at approximately 10 pm on Tuesday, May 8, and again on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, according to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.

Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue will also be closed at Kansas Street.  All streets are scheduled to re-open by 6 am on the following day.

These overnight closures are needed to accommodate testing related to the El Paso Streetcar Project. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are asked to avoid the area if possible during testing.

Temporarily parking restrictions have been marked along Kansas Street and will remain in effect through Thursday.

The Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority has announced the following traffic impacts for the weekend, related to the delivery of Streetcar No. 1512.

Streetcar No. 1512 will have the same red and green color scheme as Streetcar No. 1506 which was delivered to El Paso a few weeks ago.

As part of the El Paso Streetcar Project, six vintage Presidents Conference Committee (PCC) streetcars are being restored by Brookville Equipment Corporation in Brookville, Pn., before being returned to service in El Paso.

• On-street parking will be prohibited on Father Rahm Avenue between Santa Fe Street and El Paso Street beginning on Friday, April 27, 2018.
• Father Rahm Avenue will be closed to all traffic between Santa Fe Street and El Paso Street beginning on the morning of Sunday, April 29, 2018.
• The street is expected to re-open and all parking restrictions are expected to be lifted by Sunday afternoon.

After being mothballed for more than four decades, undergoing two years of extensive renovation, and making a 3,600 mile round trip to the Keystone State, the very first of El Paso’s vintage streetcars is back in the Sun City.

Monday morning, the truck carrying Car No. 1506 enterd Downtown El Paso accompanied by an escort and traveled to Father Rahm Avenue where it will be unloaded.

Once the streetcar has been unloaded, it will be transported into the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) at 601 South Santa Fe Street for inspection by the CRRMA and Sun Metro.

The CRRMA and the City of El Paso will soon announce public events to celebrate the streetcar’s homecoming.

Car No. 1506, part of the fleet of streetcars which ran in El Paso until 1974, is the first of six vintage Presidents Conference Committee (PCC) streetcars to be refurbished and modernized as part of the $97 million El Paso Streetcar Project

El Paso’s fleet of six historic Presidents’ Conference Committee (PCC) streetcars left El Paso on November 12 and December 10, 2015, bound for extensive renovation by Brookville Equipment Corporation in Brookville, Penn.

Each of the six streetcars will be painted in one of three vintage color schemes from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Car No. 1506 is painted in the red and green 1970s color pattern.

The return of the first streetcar will allow the CRRMA to begin a rigorous, months-long testing phase to ensure the system is safe before Sun Metro begins operating the service for the public.

In the coming weeks, streetcars will be running along the 4.8 mile route but passengers won’t be able to board. An exact date for the beginning of on-street testing has not been announced.

Below are some important tips to remember as we welcome the first streetcar back to El Paso:

• Other than traveling on a fixed route, the streetcars will operate much like other vehicles. They will have a maximum speed of approximately 25 miles per hour, obeying all traffic laws and — in most cases — they will travel with other vehicles in a travel lane.
• The Streetcar is powered by lines running above the street which carry 650 DC volts of electricity. Always consider every line to be fully energized. Never touch the wires or anything touching the wires.
• Don’t ride your bike along the rails your tire can get stuck between the rail and the pavement. When you cross the rails, do so at a 90-degree angle.
• Pedestrians should also use extra caution when crossing the rails or walking near the streetcar line.
• For more information, call (844) 252-RAIL.

Click here to view bilingual safety videos produced by the CRRMA as part of the El Paso Streetcar Project.

As testing of the El Paso Streetcar Project’s overhead power lines continues along the Downtown loop, drivers should take note of lane and parking restrictions along Kansas Street and Father Rahm Avenue this week, according to the Camino Real Regional Mobile Authority.

Beginning Monday, January 29, 2018, the far left lane on southbound Kansas Street will be closed at San Antonio Avenue for electrical system testing.

The closure will remain in effect through Friday, February 2, 2018.

In addition, beginning Tuesday, January 30, 2018, the westbound lane of Father Rahm Avenue will be closed from Kansas to Santa Fe streets in order for crews to take power line measurements.

The lane will remain Closed through Thursday, February 1, 2018.

No parking will be allowed on Father Rahm Avenue between Kansas and Santa Fe streets during the three days of lane closure.

With most major street, track and underground utility construction for the El Paso Streetcar project completed, crews from Paso del Norte Trackworks are putting the finishing touchsed some of their work along the 4.8 mile route.

According to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, lane and turn restrictions at Santa Fe Street and Franklin Avenue
begin on Monday, December 18, 2017.

Crews will make final adjustments to a water valve in the intersection of Santa Fe Street and Franklin Avenue. To accommodate this work, Santa Fe Street will be reduced to a single lane in each direction through the intersection with Franklin.

Left turns will not be permitted from southbound Santa Fe Street to eastbound Franklin Avenue or from westbound Franklin Avenue to southbound Santa Fe Street. Traffic seeking to make those turns, will be detoured via El Paso Street and Main Drive. This work is scheduled to last approximately one week.

Then on Tuesday, December 19, 2017, Crosby Avenue will be closed to thru traffic immediately west of Stanton Street so crews can make final adjustments to a manhole cover. Traffic on Stanton Street will not be impacted.

This work is scheduled to last approximately one week.

Some motorists, pedestrians and cyclists will need to find alternate routes across Interstate 10 in Downtown El Paso as crews from Paso del Norte Trackworks place a final layer of sealant on two overpasses which were recently re-surfaced and outfitted with rails as part of the El Paso Streetcar Project.

To accommodate the work, Stanton Street and Oregon Street are scheduled to be closed to all traffic between Yandell Drive and Wyoming Avenue beginning at approximately 9am on Wednesday, September 20, 2017.

Both overpasses are scheduled to re-open on Friday, September 22, 2017, according to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority which is managing construction of the 4.8 mile streetcar project which will run from South El Paso to Downtown to the UTEP area.

Campbell Street, Kansas Street, Mesa Street, El Paso Street and Santa Fe Street will remain open to north-south traffic over I-10 during this closure.

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should anticipate new temporary traffic patterns in the coming days as rail work related to the El Paso Streetcar Projects continues to advance toward its conclusion, according to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.

Beginning during the week of July 31, 2017, two-way traffic on Stanton Street between Yandell Drive and Schuster Avenue will shift from the west side of the street to the east side of the street.

With the exception of Nevada Avenue, all cross streets are open at Stanton.

Also during this time, crews will begin preliminary striping work on North Stanton Street in advance of final striping related to the El Paso Streetcar Project which is scheduled to begin the week of August 7, 2017.

Traffic Impacts at Other Locations

The following traffic impacts will remain in place during the week of July 31, 2017:

Complete Closures

• Baltimore Drive between Stanton Street and Mesa Street
• Glory Road between Oregon Street and Mesa Street
• Nevada Street immediately west of Oregon Street
• Rio Grande Avenue immediately east of Oregon Street
• Oregon Street between Wyoming Avenue to Franklin Avenue
• Stanton Street between Yandell Drive to Franklin Avenue

Lane Restrictions

• Yandell Drive between Kansas Street and Santa Fe Street
• Wyoming Avenue between Kansas Street and Santa Fe Street
• Oregon Street between Yandell Drive and Wyoming Avenue
• Santa Fe Street between Father Rahm Avenue and 4^th Avenue
• Missouri Avenue at Oregon Street
• Missouri Avenue at Stanton Street
• Mesa Street at Glory Road/Baltimore Drive