Anyone know what the length of the theoretical full built out system? Metro South, Northside, Southside, Daniel Boone, Madison County, Kirkwood? I know that it is all still in the planning stages and some of the routes have not been finalized, but I would think it would put St Louis pretty far up the list.
Okay, here are the approximate mileage numbers for each corridor:
Original Line:
Lambert to 5th/Missouri, 19 miles
St. Clair Extension:
5th/Missouri to Shiloh-Scott, 24 miles (Mid-America adds 6 miles)
Cross-County Extension:
Forest Park to Shrewsbury, 8 miles
Metro South:
Shrewsbury to Butler Hill, 9 miles (BNSF) or 11 miles (RDP)
Metro North:
Clayton to Florissant, 9 miles
Northside:
Downtown to Flo Valley CC, 12 miles
Southside:
Downtown to Metro South alignment, 9 miles (RDP) or 17 miles (BNSF)
Daniel Boone:
Metro North alignment to Westport, 9 miles
Northwest Connector:
Northside alignment to Daniel Boone alignment, 6 miles
Madison County:
Emerson Park to Alton or Edwardsville, 21 or 23 miles
Total Full System Build:
All identified alternatives to-date (minus St. Charles), as much as 144 miles at its maximum extent
Note, some corridors overlap, namely Metro South and Southside south of either River Des Peres or BNSF railroad in South St. Louis County, also Metro North and Daniel Boone between Clayton and Olive Blvd. But to avoid double-counting, shared mileage for these is only shown once under Metro South and Metro North, but Southside and Daniel Boone could easily be built prior to Metro South and Metro North.
Also, these estimates are based on alternatives previously identified, minus St. Charles, due to its lack of local support. To date, only St. Charles and Metro South have had higher level analysis of their alternatives, the others having early alternatives (Madison) or a conceptual preferred alternative (all others). Finally, as most everyone knows, no further extensions beyond Cross-County currently have any financial commitment for design or construction.
Yah, if we were to grow to the 2nd largest metro system in the states, I think it would really illustrate how important a component commuter rail is. Even if by length Metrolink were 2nd largest, no one would consider Metrolink more comprehensive than the transit system in say Chicago. Metra is an important part of the transportation system there.
Yes, the recently passed New York State transportation bill includes funding for the long awaited 2nd Ave. subway. The east side has been waiting a long time for this. As for NYC transit, just notice that the map there does not seem to include the New Jersey transit commuter trains that help conect into the regions core.
If only we could somehow manage to convince our legislators that mas stransit is just - if not more - important than highways we might be able to turn this city around ...
imagine a decent metro link system intermixed with a new street car system ....
Just a heads up, the lansdowne bridge by the shrewsbury station is now open.
Rich by Lindenwood park.
I know. That threw me off this morning. I take River Des Peres to Landsdowne to Shrewsbury to Big Bend to Forsyth to get to Clayton from South City. Traffic was a bit jammed at River Des Peres and Landsdowne.
i apologize for being off subject, but ^ Forsyth is such an awesome street. Expat or Southslider, since one of you would probably know, did there used to be a streetcar line down forsyth?
Forsyth only once had a streetcar within downtown Clayton, then just a county seat. Heading out from the City, the nearest east-west lines going to Clayton ran along Pershing to the north and Wydown to the south, but generally not along Forsyth, except in central Clayton.
