Milwaukee streetcar extension; new Hop line opens
MILWAUKEE - In Milwaukee, The Hop streetcar opened its lakefront route extension on Thursday, April 11.
The wheels have been turning for five years, and they're now stopping in a new central location. The L-Line stops inside a multi-modal transit concourse at the Couture high-rise.
"Riders who are in this area, they’ll have the opportunity to enjoy everything that we have to offer right around our lakefront," said County Executive David Crowley.
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Mayor Cavalier Johnson said this concourse will act as an eastern hub for both The Hop and CONNECT1, the county transit system's bus rapid transit line.
"With both streetcar as well as bus service here, the Couture destination adds connectivity, and it adds transit options for residents and visitors alike," he said.
The Hop streetcar L-Line
Much of the funding for the L-Line extension came from a federal TIGER grant. Along with the lakefront stop, new stops include Michigan, Jackson, Clybourn and Jefferson.
"The extension is 0.75 miles, but the L-Line route is nearly two miles," said Jerrel Kruschke, Milwaukee's public works commissioner.
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County leaders said the route extension is opening just in time for the highly anticipated summer season, when riders can enjoy a free trip on The Hop through the heart of the city to the lakefront and attractions including including Summerfest, the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World.
"This really includes all of our festivals, our museums, our parks, our restaurants and so much more that we have to offer in this community," Crowley said.
Route info
The L-Line opened on a limited basis in October, providing service only on Sundays and without use of the Lakefront station while construction remained ongoing at the Couture. Although both transit services will essentially use the Couture transit concourse, CONNECT1's services will not officially begin here until June 2.
The Hop operates seven days a week, with streetcars running every 15 minutes during peak hours.
The new extension incorporates five existing streetcar stations along the Milwaukee/Broadway corridor, with three new stops along the new spur that connects it to the lakefront.
The L-Line operates independently from the original M-Line and is served by one streetcar operating in a figure-eight pattern proceeding east on Michigan Street, south through the Couture site, west on Clybourn Street, north on Milwaukee Street to Kilbourn Avenue, and south on Broadway to St. Paul Avenue.
Riders will be able to transfer between the M-Line and L-Line at any of the five overlapping stations.
More information is available at on The Hop's website.