KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The KC Streetcar in downtown Kansas City will officially start its new milestone project to complete the Main Street "tie-in" and extension of the popular public transportation service. According to a news release, bridge work for the Main Street Viaduct and the tie-in of the new Main Street extension to the existing streetcar system started on Monday morning. Chiefs fans show out in support at Power & Light’s KC Live! block KC Streetcar constructors said that a portion of northbound Main Street from Pershing Road to 20th Street will be closed in an effort to start on bridge work for the Main Street Viaduct. “It’s going to be a little rough,” Pat Ard, who cuts hair at Midwest Barbery near Union Station, said. Ard is troubled by news from Kansas City Streetcar Constructors that northbound traffic along the stretch of Main at Pershing Road will be closed until November, according to a news release. Ard is concerned his profits will take a hit, especially if street side parking spaces are closed. “That’s kind of the only parking we have for our business — right out front on Main Street. That will be gone now. It will be about a month and some change where we’re going to have to figure out parking for our clients,” Ard said. The expected timeline for northbound traffic on Main Street to be reopened is four-to-five weeks. However, weather and unforeseen circumstances may affect this timeline. Businesses along Main Street will stay open and accessible during construction, as well as southbound traffic. Street parking will not be allowed, though. If you find yourself needing to travel northbound on Main Street, the alternate route you can use is Pershing Road and Grand Boulevard. The legend shows an alternate route drivers in Kansas City, Missouri can use as the new streetcar extension and tie-in is being operated on. (Credit: KC Streetcar Constructors) Shawnee Town Arts & Crafts Fair & Fall Festival returns for 47th year “Traffic already makes things a little difficult,” Alec Ward, who owns Druid Dice Tabletop Games, said. Ward said he learned about this last week, and he’s had to cancel some of his store’s events. Ward estimates 50 percent of his store’s business comes from walk-in customers, and he’s worried that’s at risk during the closure. “Not only will they have to find parking downtown, but on top of that, now they have to walk a couple of blocks extra. Every little inconvenience is something to convince people — yeah, I’ll stay home tonight,” Ward said. Katie Meyer, a spokesperson for KC Streetcar Constructors, said sidewalks should be open, but if they aren’t for some stretches, pedestrian detours will be available. Construction will be in 24-hour shifts, including weekends, and KC Streetcar services will be temporarily suspended starting on Monday, Sept. 30. In its place, Ride KC buses will still be operating. For more information about road closures and projects, go to the KC Streetcar Constructors website at www.buildkcstreetcar.com.