Tag Archives: el paso trolleys

Starting next week, Sun Metro has scheduled three community meetings to raise awareness about Streetcar Safety.

The El Paso Streetcar project is in its testing and training phase. To ensure the system can operate safely for the public, Sun Metro encourages the public to obey traffic laws and cross safely at designated locations when driving, cycling or walking near the 4.8 mile streetcar route.

The route runs in two loops known as Downtown and Uptown. The Downtown Loop includes Santa Fe Street, Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street and Father Rahm Avenue. The Uptown Loop includes Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Glory Road, Baltimore Drive and Oregon Street.

Sun Metro officials share the following tips to remember when approaching a Streetcar:

Pedestrians

• Look both ways and listen for the streetcar before you step into the crosswalk. Streetcars run on electricity and are extremely quiet when approaching a station.
• Remove headphones or reduce volume so you can hear streetcar warning bells and horns. Streetcars will provide warning sounds before coming to a stop.
• There are new signals all along the streetcar route. Cross only at a crosswalk when the walk signal is on.
• Never try to beat a moving streetcar by walking or running in front of it while it’s in motion. Streetcars cannot make sudden stops. Never try to beat a moving streetcar by walking or running in front of it while it’s in motion. Streetcars cannot make sudden stops.

Motorists

• Pass the streetcar with caution. Never block the tracks while parking or changing lanes.
• Never cut in front of a moving streetcar. Do not attempt a right-hand turn in front of a streetcar. Get behind the streetcar to make any right-hand turns.
• Park only at designated spaces along the streetcar route. Never block the tracks. Cars will be towed.
• Pay attention to new signs, striping & signals all along the streetcar route.

Cyclists

• Avoid riding near streetcar tracks when possible. 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.
• Tracks can be slippery, especially when wet. Try to avoid any wet areas along the route when crossing the tracks.
• Stanton Street (btwn Baltimore & Rio Grande) is now a 2-way bikeway. All cyclist can ride north and south on the same side of the street.
• Never grab the back of a streetcar to be pulled along on your bike.

The meetings will take place:

For more information and videos about El Paso Streetcar safety, visit the website, call (915) 212-3333, like the Facebook page or follow Sun Metro on Twitter @SunMetro.

As testing for the El Paso Streetcar Project continues, contractors working for the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority will close Stanton Street and Oregon Street between Crosby Avenue and Montana Avenue.

The closures will begin at approximately 9pm on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Cross streets in this area will be closed at Stanton and Oregon as well.

Testing is scheduled to be complete and all barricades are scheduled to be removed by 5am on Thursday, August 16, 2018.

Below are some important tips to remember as we begin seeing the streetcars out-and-about more often:

• 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.

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

For more information on testing, please contact the CRRMA’s Streetcar Project at (844) 252-RAIL. For more information on streetcar service, please contact Sun Metro at (915) 212-3333.

As preparations related to the the El Paso Streetcar Project continue, the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority and Sun Metro are planning several testing and training operations in the coming weeks.

On Monday, August 13, 2018, Sun Metro will begin training streetcar operators during daytime hours from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This will be the first opportunity for the public to share the road with the Streetcar while it operates in daytime traffic throughout its route.

Officials with the CRRMA stated, “We remind the public to always follow standard safety procedures when driving, cycling or walking: Obey traffic laws and cross safely at designated locations.”

Additionally, contractors working for the CRRMA will conduct electrical testing along the Uptown Loop between 7:00 p.m. and midnight on Monday, August 13, 2018.

During this test, contractors will intentionally short-circuit some of the electrical components in a controlled environment to ensure safety mechanisms are properly functioning. Those along the Uptown Loop at the time may hear two loud ‘booms’ during this test. There is no danger to members of the public.

The Uptown Loop includes Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Glory Road, Baltimore Drive and Oregon Street.

On Tuesday, August 14, 2018, the CRRMA will resume other overnight on-street vehicle testing which will require intermittent street and lane closures along the Uptown Loop.

More information on those closures will be released in the coming days.

While residents will be seeing a lot more of the iconic trolleys, they are not passenger service just yet.

The CRRMA and Sun Metro each have several more months of testing and training to ensure the system can operate safely for the public. In the coming weeks, you’ll likely to see streetcars running more often along the route but, again, you won’t be able to board.

Below are some important tips to remember as we begin seeing the streetcars out-and-about more often:

• 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. Every line is fully energized. Never touch 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. Always LOOK both ways and LISTEN for the streetcar before stepping in the crosswalk.
• Motorists should never cut off the streetcar whether it is moving or standing. Never block the tracks while parking or changing lanes.
• For more information, call (844) 252-RAIL.

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.

On Thursday morning City of El Paso and Sun Metro are inviting the public to the El Paso Streetcar unveiling event to get a first-hand look at the future of transit and behind-the-scenes access to the new streetcar maintenance facility.

“This is a chance to be among the first El Pasoans to view the El Paso Streetcar,” Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak said. “The historic streetcar, once a staple of the Sun City’s public transportation system, will be riding through city streets again thanks in part to a collaboration between the City of El Paso and the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.”

Two of the six vehicles have arrived in El Paso from Brookville, Pennsylvania, where they were restored. The remaining four vehicles will be delivered in the coming months.

All six vehicles will undergo a four-to-six-month safety approval process that includes on-street testing at night and during the daytime hours.

Streetcar officials add, “The community is asked to please follow safety guidelines for pedestrians, motorists, and bicyclists during testing phases.”

Service is expected to start in late 2018.

The El Paso Streetcar amenities will feature:

• Streetcar branding along the route and signage at designated stops
• Pavement, sidewalk and driveway improvements at designated stops
• Free Wi-Fi on the streetcars
• Modern controls housed in an old-fashioned console
• Upgrades for safety, air conditioning, and ADA provisions
• Modern propulsion

WHO:             City of El Paso Mass Transit Department – Sun Metro

WHAT:          Streetcar Unveiling Event

WHEN:          10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 21, 2018

WHERE:        Maintenance and Storage Facility at 601-A Santa Fe

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.

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.

Downtown commuters should plan a little extra time on Wednesday morning as crews from Paso del Norte Trackworks will close one lane of Kansas Street between Mills Avenue and Texas Avenue.

The closure of the southbound, right-hand lane is necessary to allow crews to remove a foundation for a traffic light which was replaced as part of the El Paso Streetcar Project.

According to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, the work is scheduled to begin at 9am on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, and is expected to be complete in less than 24 hours.

Some crosswalks, sidewalks and on-street parking in the area will be impacted as well. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should obey all signs, signals and barricades.

Kansas Street of thousands of vehicles each day from Interstate 10 to downtown destinations including El Paso City Hall, the El Paso County Courthouse, the Federal Courthouse and downtown office buildings.

Motorists who use Kansas Street are advised to consider the following alternate routes:

• Westbound traffic can exit I-10 at Cotton Street and access Downtown via Texas Avenue.
• Eastbound traffic can exit I-10 at Downtown and turn right at Santa Fe, Oregon, or Mesa Streets.

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.

Before the City of El Paso begins operating the service for the public, the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority will undertake several months rigorous testing of the El Paso Streetcar Project to ensure the system is safe and operating as expected. That includes testing elements of the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) such as power substations and overhead lines which will power the streetcars.

Testing which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, requires crews to fully energize some overhead lines with up to 650-volts DC.

Officials with the CRRMA warn residents, “From this point forward, all 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.

The CRRMA’s 4.8-mile route will be serviced by Presidents’ Conference Committee (PCC) streetcar vehicles – the same vehicles that ran on El Paso streets until 1974, and will feature 27 stops and a maintenance and storage facility.

The route runs in two loops, connecting the international bridges, retail areas, government buildings, convention center and downtown ballpark with the Las Palmas and UTEP Area.

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.

As crews from Paso del Norte Trackworks turn their focus toward overhead power systems, they’re also finishing up minor street and sidewalk work at various sections along the 4.8 mile route.

That work will require a handful of lane restrictions and street closures over the coming weeks.

On Wednesday, August 30, 2017, Yandell Drive will be reduced to a single westbound lane at Stanton Street so crews can make adjustments to water valves in the street; Also at this time, Stanton Street will be closed to thru traffic between Yandell Drive and Montana Avenue and an eastbound lane on Montana Avenue will be closed at Stanton.

During the morning commute, these closures will impact motorists who use the Mesa Street exit off of I-10 westbound to access Downtown. Motorists should consider using Cotton Street to Texas Avenue to access downtown.

In the evening commute, these closures will impact motorists who use Yandell Drive to access I-10 westbound and those who use northbound Stanton Street to leave the Downtown area.

Motorists should consider Santa Fe Street or Campbell Street as alternate routes out of Downtown.

These closures will be in effect for 24 hours only meaning impacted streets will re-open on Thursday, August 31, 2017.

Stanton Street and Oregon Street will close for approximately one week between Yandell Drive and Wyoming Avenue. This closure is anticipated in early September, but an exact date has not been announced.

The closure is necessary to allow crews from Paso del Norte Trackworks to place the final sealant on specially formulated concrete recently used to adjust the driving surface of the bridges to match the height of the newly installed rail.

Crews from Paso del Norte Trackworks continue stringing wire for the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) at various locations throughout the 4.8 mile route of the El Paso Streetcar Project.

This work is done with a police escort. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should use extra caution around this work.

But for a section about 25 feet long, all rail for the El Paso Streetcar Project has been placed along the entire 4.8 mile route stretching from South El Paso to Downtown to the Kern Place/UTEP area.

On Thursday, August 10, 2017, El Pasoans are invited to take a few moments out of their day to stop-in and sign what will be the very last piece of rail which will be placed as part of the El Paso Streetcar Project.

“In the coming weeks, crews from Paso del Norte Trackworks will weld that final piece of rail into place signifying the end of major construction work for this project,” said Raymond Telles, executive director of the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.

“However, that doesn’t mean the streetcars are ready to roll just yet — crews must continue work on the overhead system which will power the streetcars which are still being renovated in Brookville, Penn. When those streetcars return later this year, we’ll begin a 6-12 month testing phase which must be completed before the City of El Paso is able to begin streetcar service,” Telles added.

The CRRMA will have special markers and commemorative giveaways available in the 500 Block of North Stanton Street in Downtown El Paso between 10am and 1pm.

The Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) has released new photos of the historic streetcars which are being restored for the rigors of daily service by experts at Brookville Equipment Corporation in Brookville, Penn.

More than 1,900 miles from the street reconstruction, utility relocation, and rail welding of the El Paso Streetcar Project, the vintage vehicles which will roll again through Sun City streets are undergoing a transformation of their own.

In late 2015, six of El Paso’s classic Presidents’ Conference Committee (PCC) streetcars were taken to Brookville, Pennsylvania.  The company has over a decade of experience in restoring vintage streetcars for daily use — including PCC streetcars.

Brookville has restored cars for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

To read previous articles about the PCC cars, click HERE.