All major construction on the Delmar Loop Trolley has been completed.
Trolley construction began March 2015. The final path of the trolley circles more than two miles from the western end of The Loop and through Forest Park near the Missouri History Museum.
Staff will also begin moving into the refurbished building that will house the new headquarters and maintenance facility.
This move is bringing new life to a vacant property, the former Delmar High School at 5875-89 Delmar.
With the track fully laid, the project is on schedule for a spring debut but people may begin seeing trolley cars run soon.
The months-long testing process could start as early as December when the first cars are delivered.
Joe Edwards, who owns several properties in the Delmar Loop, chairs the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District. He says the thorough safety testing is crucial and lengthy but people can also enjoy a first look at the trolley.
“People will start seeing a trolley actually running during the testing phases – and that will be an exciting thing really, just to watch it and see what it might look like,” said Edwards. “And people will be amazed, I think, at how beautiful the cars are.”
Fares have not yet been set though officials are considering three options: two-hour, four-hour and all-day access.
Edwards says the prices are likely to be similar to those for MetroLink.
He calls the Loop Trolley an important step toward increasing public transportation in St. Louis. “To have this as a prototype in St. Louis of how to connect other neighborhoods to each other and expand the system is a back to the future thing,” said Edwards. “We used to have a great trolley system in our city and I think it really worked.”
Edwards says public transport like the trolley makes St. Louis more appealing to younger residents who drive less and are environmentally conscious.
