Oklahoma City's mode of urban transportation, the OKC Streetcar, will see temporary halts in service due to ongoing construction and demolition efforts starting this month. Specific segments of the streetcar network will be out of operation on September 22, and then again for an extended duration from September 29 through October 27, as reported on the City of Oklahoma City official website. The interruptions are planned around construction on private property and the demolition of the former Myriad Convention Center to make way for new developments.
During these interruptions, EMBARK has planned to deploy streetcar bus shuttles to ensure that residents and visitors can continue to easily navigate through downtown. The first interruption on September 22 will lead to the closure of N Robinson Avenue and W Main Street at N Robinson Avenue. EMBARK's bus shuttles will provide service every 25 minutes along the affected routes during the regular streetcar operating hours. However, the Century Center and the Arena stops will not be serviced, and real-time tracking will not be available—patrons are advised to allow extra travel time, according to the City of Oklahoma City.
The second, more prolonged interruption will span an entire month, during which a bus shuttle will replace the streetcar service. This suspension aligns with Midwest Wrecking's installation of structural shoring necessary for the additional demolition at 1 Myriad Gardens, a fundamental part of the ongoing makeover for the Oklahoma City New Arena. Due to this work, certain lanes on Sheridan Avenue and Reno Avenue will be closed, with detour signs placed strategically to guide the traffic flow, although the timing of these closures may shift depending on weather, as detailed by the City of Oklahoma City.
As with the first service break, EMBARK will again extend shuttle services to bridge the gap left by the absent streetcar. The frequency of the shuttles will remain uninterrupted, arriving every 25 minutes. The Bricktown Loop, however, will not be in operation for the duration of this second service suspension. Riders should expect to only access the downtown loop and prepare to possibly adjust their travel schedules as real-time tracking might still prove to be unavailable during this period. For those who rely on the smoothness of regular commutes, such interruptions may prove to be a significant adjustment, as per the City of Oklahoma City.
For the Thunder game days, EMBARK has confirmed that the Thunder Game Day Bus Shuttles will operate as per the usual schedule, commencing two hours pre-game and running until an hour post-event. Patrons requiring assistance with the alternative streetcar bus shuttle system or seeking further information can reach out to EMBARK Customer Service. The latest updates on service and traffic disruptions are available at EMBARK's website.
