The construction of the Oklahoma City Streetcar system is almost complete and testing on the cars has already begun.
On the corner of Sheridan and Hudson passing by rather quietly is one of the OKC Streetcars making its stop at the Myriad Gardens, one of 22 stops around the city.
Michael Scroggins is a spokesperson for EMBARK, the group operating the streetcars. He said the $131 million dollar project voters approved through MAPS 3will change the culture of the city.
“We’re all going to have to take some time and relearn how we interact around this large train and that goes for cyclists and pedestrians also," Scroggins said. "So we have been focusing on trying to give some basic tips for how you can be safe and also keep us safe at the same time.”
Some of those tips include only using traffic signals meant for motorists and not the new traffic lights designed for the streetcars, listening for the bells and warning horns and remaining alert.
Scroggins also said the streetcars will need to undergo at least 310 miles of testing on the loops to ensure public safety. He says drivers in Downtown OKC can expect the construction for the railing to be completed in the next two to three months.
And although the streetcars are slated to be open by December, Scroggins said that date is dependent on whether or not the last 60 miles of testing runs without any failures.
