Another Atlanta Streetcar Test Tonight, Friday Morning

Atlanta Streetcar is drawing ever closer to completion of its ambitious project to return streetcars to Midtown and Downtown Atlanta, and is performing another test of the streetcar’s systems overnight Thursday in preparation for passenger service later this year.

On Thursday evening, the streetcars’ electric power systems will be put to the test. Three streetcars will be loaded with 28,000 pounds of weight and accelerated to 25 mph. Each of the three cars will then screech to a halt simultaneously.

The tests will occur on Auburn Avenue between Jackson and Courtland streetsbetween 11 p.m. and early Friday morning. The affected portion of Auburn Avenue will be shut down between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., but pedestrians and vehicles will be allowed to use the road during breaks in testing. Emergency vehicles can also use the route at all times.

On Monday night and Tuesday morning, the streetcar made five circuits of the nearly three-mile long route between Centennial Olympic Park and Auburn Avenue at 5 mph, 10 mph, 15 mph, 20 mph, and 25 mph.

Earlier this month, the project cleared another hurdle when one of its streetcars traveled the length of its route under its own power.

If all goes according to plan, passenger service should begin before 2015.