Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland's Bureau of Transportation will test tracks and electrical systems for a streetcar expansion today through Thursday. That'll mean more laneS closed along some busy traffic arteries east of the Willamette River.

Hilda Khouri co-owns Nicholas Restaurant, a Mediterranean cafe that does a thriving lunch business on Grand Avenue.  That's where the new line is under construction.

"Mostly the inconvenience is during lunchtime, our place is super busy for lunch sales went down about 15% during lunch. People were kind of apprehensive to use our facility. Dinner's been about the same. It hasn't really affected us for dinner."

But Khouri says she's hoping once the new line is finished, it could bring in new customers.

The extension will add over three miles of track, looping across the Broadway Bridge, parallel to the waterfront, as far south as OMSI. THe loop is scheduled to open later this year.