Milwaukee Streetcar
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mass. Electric Construction Co. (MEC) was selected as the systems/electrical subcontractor to build the new, two-mile starter line streetcar system for the City of Milwaukee. The starter line connects the Milwaukee Intermodal Station with the city’s Lower Eastside. Phase 1 of the starter system comprised two-route miles (3.9 single-track miles) and included an operations and maintenance facility (OMF). Phase 2 was an additional 0.77-mile loop known as Lakefront. Both phases will support further expansion of the network to improve circulation within downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, linking existing and future development.
MEC’s project scope included overhead contact system (OCS), traction power substations (TPSS), train signaling, traffic signals, street lighting and associated conduits and ductbank. The Milwaukee Streetcar alignment includes two unique elements:
- An existing lift bridge over the Milwaukee River that required unique design considerations for new streetcar traction power and train control systems.
- Off-wire OCS streetcar running: Milwaukee purchased streetcars from Brookville with on-board batteries that allow the streetcars to operate in areas without OCS. Off-wire running requires the addition of redundant feed conduits connecting TPSS OMF with TPSS DPW to ensure the streetcars can continue to operate while one TPSS location is out of service