Type Heritage streetcar Status Operational | System MATA Trolley Stations 19 | |
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Locale Memphis, Tennessee, United States Operator(s) Memphis Area Transit Authority | ||
The Riverfront Loop is a line of the Memphis Area Transit Authority trolley system. It began operation in 1997, as the second line in the system. It runs for 4.1 mi (6.6 km) through downtown Memphis and along the Mississippi riverfront, with 19 stops along the way. It is the longest of the system's three lines, though it concurrent with the Main Street Line for about half of its length. Part of the line offers panoramic views of the Mississippi River from atop to the Chickasaw Bluffs.
Route description
As the line functions as a "loop" it does not have any termini. From Amtrak's Central Station in the South Main Arts District, it runs north joining the original Main Street Line along the Main Street pedestrian mall. After following this line for 1.8 mi (2.9 km), it splits off to the west just past A.W. Willis Avenue (formerly Auction Avenue). Passing Front Street, it turns south along the Illinois Central tracks toward the Pyramid Arena. The loop goes under the Interstate 40 bridge, emerging in front of the Cook Convention Center along the waterfront. Continuing along the IC tracks, it follows the riverfront until the tracks overlay Tennessee Street. Here, the loop continues along Tennessee eventually turning east onto GE Patterson Avenue. The loop is completed when it travels under the IC tracks in front of Central Station, and turns back onto South Main Street.