The Loop Trolley connecting the Delmar Loop to Forest Park is set to open Nov. 15 with an opening ceremony after numerous delays, requests for increased funding and concerns raised by small businesses.

Graphic by Brandon Wilburn

Due to a winter weather warning, the ceremony will be held inside at Delmar Hall Thursday morning.

The trolley project faces renewed criticism ahead of its launch. Within the past month, two vehicles have been damaged in collisions with the trolley.

Since its inception, the trolley development project has been fraught with traffic concerns and delayed launch dates; moreover, many small business owners have reported lost revenue due to construction impeding foot traffic.

Joe Edwards, owner of Blueberry Hill, proposed the trolley in the 1990s as a way to revitalize pedestrian interest in the Delmar Loop area and bring in revenue for the Loop’s business owners. The original project was first projected to cost $43 million; after almost ten years of construction, the final cost of the trolley was $51 million.

The fare is two dollars for a two-hour ticket and five dollars for an all-day ticket. The planned hours of operation are 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.