Does the blue line really need to run so far east?
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After long funding struggle, MetroLink extension to MidAmerica airport moves forward
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https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/after-long-funding-struggle-metrolink-extension-to-midamerica-airport-moves-forward/article_a8bb7942-f92d-11ee-a626-634b4a265e86.html#tracking-source=home-top-storyWhile a potential MetroLink expansion in St. Louis stirs controversy, work has been quietly underway for more than a year on building a long-sought Metro East extension of the light rail line.
Illinois state funds are paying the entire cost of the $98 million, 5.2-mile connection from MetroLink’s current easternmost outpost — the Shiloh-Scott station near Scott Air Force Base — to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah.
Excavation, embankment and bridge work along the route will be substantially completed by August, said Ken Sharkey, managing director of the St. Clair County Transit District, which is in charge of the project.
Other construction will follow, and the extension and the new MetroLink station at the airport are expected to open in 2026.
St. Clair County officials had pushed on and off since the 1990s to get funding for the extension to MidAmerica, which for many years was attacked as a boondoggle because of its lack of flights. Finally, in 2019, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker included the light rail connection in the mammoth $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital improvements plan passed by the state Legislature.
County Board Chairman Mark Kern said in addition to getting people to and from the county-owned airport and nearby businesses — and acting as a spur to additional development — the extension will help the overall MetroLink system.
“It’s an important thing for the region,” Kern said. “The more riders we get on MetroLink, the more successful it is.”
Expanding routes
Kern said that’s why he supported St. Louis’ push to get the East-West Gateway Council of Governments to endorse a revised plan to build a new MetroLink line connecting the city’s north and south sides. The council includes the metro area’s top elected officials. In February, that far more expensive project, currently estimated at $1.1 billion, was endorsed by the council in February after a move to table the discussion fell just short.
Critics, with St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann at the forefront, questioned planners’ projections of more than 5,000 daily boardings.
The libertarian Show-Me Institute also has attacked the St. Louis route, which would run along Jefferson Avenue from Chippewa Street to the new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency facility, then go west along Natural Bridge Avenue to North Grand Boulevard.
Current projections call for the St. Louis project to require $659 million in federal aid. The city and the Bi-State Development Agency, which oversees Metro Transit and MetroLink, expect to submit an application later this year. Taulby Roach, Bi-State’s CEO, said no ridership projections for the Illinois extension were required to qualify for the Illinois grant. He said the strategy also was made possible by the fact that St. Clair County already owned all the land being used. Bi-State did issue ridership estimates for the Illinois extension in the late 1990s when local officials made an unsuccessful try for federal funding. A U.S. Department of Transportation report in 1999 questioned whether they were too low to justify the expense.
Now, 25 years later, county officials say MidAmerica Airport has been on an upswing.
Airport Director Darren James says Allegiant Air, the facility’s lone passenger carrier, will have around 70 inbound and outbound flights a week involving 12 destinations during peak traffic times this summer. The newest destination — Knoxville, Tennessee — will be added in June.
A year ago the airport almost doubled the size of its terminal, part of a $34 million project that also includes soon-to-be-completed renovations.
Kern also cited Boeing’s construction of a new drone plant at MidAmerica, adding to its parts facility already there. “Then we expect suppliers to Boeing are going to co-locate there,” he said. “We have reserved acreage for adjoining businesses, pretty much at the terminus for MetroLink.”
Kern said the new connection will allow people to take MetroLink all the way from MidAmerica to St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
An additional $70 million or so in ancillary work also is involved, including a 5-mile bike and pedestrian trail alongside the MetroLink extension, a new 2.4-mile frontage road near the extension and Interstate 64 and a new stretch of Rieder Road.
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But how is this 5.2-mile extension $98M but the Greenline's 5.5 mile is $1.1 Billion? ( I know this is adding just 1 station at the end of it at Mid America and green line is adding 10 but still)
That's a similar cost per stationdbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Apr 22, 2024But how is this 5.2-mile extension $98M but the Greenline's 5.5 mile is $1.1 Billion? ( I know this is adding just 1 station at the end of it at Mid America and green line is adding 10 but still)
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Cortex Station got built for $10,000,000. If you add 50% it’s still just $15,000,000 today
And that one was elevated too, so a huge block on concrete had to be built first. These won’t be that
Green dirt vs city streetdbInSouthCity wrote:But how is this 5.2-mile extension $98M but the Greenline's 5.5 mile is $1.1 Billion? ( I know this is adding just 1 station at the end of it at Mid America and green line is adding 10 but still)
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That’s part of it but 10 to 1 seems little absurd. Also they have various usaf restrictions despite being green dirt
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I would assume the new rolling stock is also factored into the equation for N/S
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I picture that plus the associated maintenance facility work is a significant portion of the cost. Also means that these costs won't be a part of the costs for future phases.GoHarvOrGoHome wrote: ↑Apr 22, 2024I would assume the new rolling stock is also factored into the equation for N/S
Picture another element of the cost is related to utility corridor work and work on the road. Not sure how much work as it relates to sewer/water lines will be involved in the project.
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The route will be split evenly between double track and single track. So, 2.6 miles of double track and 2.6 miles of single track.quincunx wrote: ↑Apr 22, 2024Most of the 5.2-miles is single track, correct?
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Once the green line is built out it will be interesting what is planned next. Picture BRT will be involved but could be done before the Green Line phases are done. Won't one factor in expansion after green line is what will views towards transit be at that time? Since its possible places like St. Charles county has a different view than the long-standing view (it may already be changing but not sure what current views are on transit there). That could influence decisions if other counties start wanting more transit access.
It really is a tragedy that St. Charles won't consider Metrolink expansion. An extension of the red line over Missouri River near the Streets of St. Charles and Casino would be great. With stops at Earth City on the way over.imperialmog wrote: ↑May 18, 2024Once the green line is built out it will be interesting what is planned next. Picture BRT will be involved but could be done before the Green Line phases are done. Won't one factor in expansion after green line is what will views towards transit be at that time? Since its possible places like St. Charles county has a different view than the long-standing view (it may already be changing but not sure what current views are on transit there). That could influence decisions if other counties start wanting more transit access.
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Get the sense that they may be warming up. If for no other reason that those most opposed are getting old. Though big issue in such a plan will be river crossing.goat314 wrote: ↑May 18, 2024It really is a tragedy that St. Charles won't consider Metrolink expansion. An extension of the red line over Missouri River near the Streets of St. Charles and Casino would be great. With stops at Earth City on the way over.imperialmog wrote: ↑May 18, 2024Once the green line is built out it will be interesting what is planned next. Picture BRT will be involved but could be done before the Green Line phases are done. Won't one factor in expansion after green line is what will views towards transit be at that time? Since its possible places like St. Charles county has a different view than the long-standing view (it may already be changing but not sure what current views are on transit there). That could influence decisions if other counties start wanting more transit access.
What's interesting was this week went to a meeting in Washington where they approved their comprehensive plan and one in Union for downtown revitalization. Interesting is the plans and discussions brought up do discuss looking into public transportation as part of something to look at in growth plans, especially since both discussions highlight idea of density and walkability as a way to grow while keeping a sense of community. Talked with prominent member in Union community and they told me they and city officials have talked with East-West Gateway and/or Bi-State on bus service but issue was too far apart from system. Idea is look at some local bus service as a way to help seniors in senior developments and communities get around easier and to address growing number of people not able to afford cars. Also talked with the Mayor of Washington and he mentioned would like at some point to have regional rail service to St. Louis to be able to supplement Amtrak service, for commuting, and to increase tourism.
Its something to think about in transit planning that some of the suburban and exurban areas on the Missouri side are open to public transportation. How it would manifest would be something to look at.
Yes, I remember hearing a few years back that Franklin and Jeffferson Counties were talking to EWGateway about joining Metro in the future and possibly even buying into Metrolink. Maybe, this whole platform security program is a way to get other regional counties to buy into Metrolink expansion or some other type commuter rail service. I find it kind of unfortunate that Madison County is so opposed to Metrolink, I think they would definitely get a Metrolink expansion if they joined Metro (espcially considering how Illinois is very pro-public transit and has done more for the regional system than Missouri by a long shot). Either way, if we could get a nother million or so tax paying suburbanites to buy into a regional metro system like Denver did, that could take our system to the next level and make future expansions much more feasible.imperialmog wrote: ↑May 18, 2024Get the sense that they may be warming up. If for no other reason that those most opposed are getting old. Though big issue in such a plan will be river crossing.goat314 wrote: ↑May 18, 2024It really is a tragedy that St. Charles won't consider Metrolink expansion. An extension of the red line over Missouri River near the Streets of St. Charles and Casino would be great. With stops at Earth City on the way over.imperialmog wrote: ↑May 18, 2024Once the green line is built out it will be interesting what is planned next. Picture BRT will be involved but could be done before the Green Line phases are done. Won't one factor in expansion after green line is what will views towards transit be at that time? Since its possible places like St. Charles county has a different view than the long-standing view (it may already be changing but not sure what current views are on transit there). That could influence decisions if other counties start wanting more transit access.
What's interesting was this week went to a meeting in Washington where they approved their comprehensive plan and one in Union for downtown revitalization. Interesting is the plans and discussions brought up do discuss looking into public transportation as part of something to look at in growth plans, especially since both discussions highlight idea of density and walkability as a way to grow while keeping a sense of community. Talked with prominent member in Union community and they told me they and city officials have talked with East-West Gateway and/or Bi-State on bus service but issue was too far apart from system. Idea is look at some local bus service as a way to help seniors in senior developments and communities get around easier and to address growing number of people not able to afford cars. Also talked with the Mayor of Washington and he mentioned would like at some point to have regional rail service to St. Louis to be able to supplement Amtrak service, for commuting, and to increase tourism.
Its something to think about in transit planning that some of the suburban and exurban areas on the Missouri side are open to public transportation. How it would manifest would be something to look at.
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I love the idea of a commuter rail from Washington to Alton, with stops at the Gateway Station and Kirkwood.
And perhaps on the weekends there could be a few extra trains that go out to Hermann, MO and Springfield, IL.
Both cities have Amtrak stations in the middle of walkable areas, and I truly think you'd see some interest in day trips or overnights in those cities. It would also be nice to give middle-MO and middle-IL residents a station to visit St. Louis.
As for MetroLink, it really wouldn't shock me if Jefferson County somehow beats St. Charles and Madison County to MetroLink expansion.
And perhaps on the weekends there could be a few extra trains that go out to Hermann, MO and Springfield, IL.
Both cities have Amtrak stations in the middle of walkable areas, and I truly think you'd see some interest in day trips or overnights in those cities. It would also be nice to give middle-MO and middle-IL residents a station to visit St. Louis.
As for MetroLink, it really wouldn't shock me if Jefferson County somehow beats St. Charles and Madison County to MetroLink expansion.
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The Washington to Alton routing would make the most sense for the first of a commuter/regional rail system. Also would add stops in Pacific, Eureka, Webster Groves, near Sunnen Metrolink stop for transfers, Granite City, and Wood River. Get a number of downtowns and work on TOD and infill in each location. Can connect a number of attractions and natural areas. May need work on improving rail corridor but worth it since it would also improve Amtrak service.RockChalkSTL wrote: ↑May 19, 2024I love the idea of a commuter rail from Washington to Alton, with stops at the Gateway Station and Kirkwood.
And perhaps on the weekends there could be a few extra trains that go out to Hermann, MO and Springfield, IL.
Both cities have Amtrak stations in the middle of walkable areas, and I truly think you'd see some interest in day trips or overnights in those cities. It would also be nice to give middle-MO and middle-IL residents a station to visit St. Louis.
As for MetroLink, it really wouldn't shock me if Jefferson County somehow beats St. Charles and Madison County to MetroLink expansion.
I'm assuming any possible Metrolink to Jefferson County would be an extension of the Blue Line. Picture it would only make sense to extend it to Arnold and have other forms of transit further south.
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Metrolink for St. Charles is obvious. A riverfront spine that connects Frenchtown, Main Street, the Casino, Streets of St. Charles, that Bangert Island development, and the Family Arena would be incredibly useful for St. Charles. All of their density and attractions are in a line that already has a railroad ROW running past.
Lindenwood would be hard to connect but I'm sure they could institute a shuttle or something.
This doesn't even mention the utility of connecting St. Charles to the greater system. One seat rides to downtown events and the airport. Plus more tourism from the city as it makes a day trip easy. I personally would love to bring my bike on the train and hop right on the Katy Trail.
Lindenwood would be hard to connect but I'm sure they could institute a shuttle or something.
This doesn't even mention the utility of connecting St. Charles to the greater system. One seat rides to downtown events and the airport. Plus more tourism from the city as it makes a day trip easy. I personally would love to bring my bike on the train and hop right on the Katy Trail.
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Metrolink to St. Charles will never happen. Streetcar in St. Charles… maybe.
I wouldn't say never. As the demographics change and a lot of older people pass away. It actually has a great chance of happening in the next 20 years or so. I actually think a vote for Metrolink today would be a lot closer than it was when the last vote was taken decades ago.Chris Stritzel wrote: ↑May 31, 2024Metrolink to St. Charles will never happen. Streetcar in St. Charles… maybe.
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If we make it elevated in St. Charles we can call it the Chuck-el…
I think metrolink would put itself in a much better position to extend across the Missouri River in the future if they would seriously look at a Lambert realignment and make it part of the new concourse project even if it is only a short extension to say Lindbergh Ave. Getting a direct metrolink coming from the west into Lambert would be the best selling point for anyone living in St Charles county.goat314 wrote: ↑May 31, 2024I wouldn't say never. As the demographics change and a lot of older people pass away. It actually has a great chance of happening in the next 20 years or so. I actually think a vote for Metrolink today would be a lot closer than it was when the last vote was taken decades ago.Chris Stritzel wrote: ↑May 31, 2024Metrolink to St. Charles will never happen. Streetcar in St. Charles… maybe.
Yeah, that and Cardinals games. It would also be great to have stops at the SSM Health Depaul facility, Earth City, and the Hollywood Casino/Ampitheater area on the way to Streets of St. Charles and Ameristar. I wouldn't mind if it dead ends at a park and ride lot at Lindenwood University tbh.dredger wrote: ↑May 31, 2024I think metrolink would put itself in a much better position to extend across the Missouri River in the future if they would seriously look at a Lambert realignment and make it part of the new concourse project even if it is only a short extension to say Lindbergh Ave. Getting a direct metrolink coming from the west into Lambert would be the best selling point for anyone living in St Charles county.goat314 wrote: ↑May 31, 2024I wouldn't say never. As the demographics change and a lot of older people pass away. It actually has a great chance of happening in the next 20 years or so. I actually think a vote for Metrolink today would be a lot closer than it was when the last vote was taken decades ago.Chris Stritzel wrote: ↑May 31, 2024Metrolink to St. Charles will never happen. Streetcar in St. Charles… maybe.