urbanSTL

This isn't out of the blue. It's been planned since the early 2000s. And hopes for since the 90s. It's shown in the 1999 St. Clair Extension Federal Transit Administration Audit Repor. Illinois put together a big infrastructure bill.

From 2021. I think the dates have slipped.
https://flymidamerica.com/when-will-met ... l-it-cost/

The project is part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $45 billion Rebuild Illinois Capital Program, which awarded a $96 million grant toward the extension of MetroLink’s mainline about 5.5 miles to a new passenger station at the airport.

St. Clair County Transit District Managing Director Ken Sharkey said connecting MidAmerica Airport to St. Louis Lambert International Airport and all points in between has been a goal of county leadership for decades.

“The project was designed originally back in the early 2000s, but there was no funding to go along with it,” he said. “It’s connecting airport to airport and a lot of the growth in St. Clair County over the years has happened in the corridor where this is being built.”

Officials didn't say anything about big future investment at the impetus.

For MidAmerica Aiport Director Bryan Johnson, the extension out to the county-owned airport is another historical moment for the 24-year old airport. He said he expects the new rail to give customers another reason to use MidAmerica.

“It’s so valuable for all of us,” Johnson said. “It resonates well from a community standpoint and certainly for the traveler — it gives them another option for transport to MidAmerica.”

He said when the extension is completed it will serve as one of the “final connections” in St. Clair County, bonding the airport with the rest of the Metro system in both Illinois and Missouri.

By out of the blue, I mean there had been no recent discussions regarding the extension of Metrolink to MidAmerica Airport (BLV). It was just announced, like I said out of the blue, that the State of Illinois was completely funding this extension to BLV and that construction was imminent (relatively speaking).

If this extension is solely about giving passengers another transport option to the airport, why don't they just build the extension right to the terminal?

Also, why should the State of Illinois solely fund this expansion without either a local or federal match? The only way this makes any sense to me, is if it's tied to additional investments in manufacturing and/or warehouse space that was negotiated at the state level.

This is my hunch. I have absolutely zero inside knowledge about any of this.

Also, I think it will emerge that this extension is going to end up costing quite a bit more than $96 million. That would be incredibly cheap for a 5.3-5.5 mile extension. I think the final bill will be closer to $120 million.

_nomad_ wrote: ↑

Jun 24, 2023

quincunx wrote: ↑

Jun 23, 2023

Spend $!00M to extend Metrolink and then put users through hell for the last bit.Mid America Airport Metrolink Station.jpg

Right? It's insane that they didn't connect to the actual airport building like at Lambert

T2 is approx 400 ft walk and down a couple levels from the metro. And it has a lot more users that T1

This is 800 ft

I’m sure this was the cheapest easiest route to go to put it where it is. Best location? No. But I don’t have a huge issue with it. I’ve been to many airports with a much longer walk. Midway I feel like I walk to downtown Chicago before I get to the station.

Only minus to me is it isn’t covered. But maybe they can put something in that has a cover on it, even if it isn’t temp controlled

jshank83 wrote: ↑

Jun 24, 2023

_nomad_ wrote: ↑

Jun 24, 2023

quincunx wrote: ↑

Jun 23, 2023

Spend $!00M to extend Metrolink and then put users through hell for the last bit.Mid America Airport Metrolink Station.jpg

Right? It's insane that they didn't connect to the actual airport building like at Lambert

T2 is approx 400 ft walk and down a couple levels from the metro. And it has a lot more users that T1

This is 800 ft

I’m sure this was the cheapest easiest route to go to put it where it is. Best location? No. But I don’t have a huge issue with it. I’ve been to many airports with a much longer walk. Midway I feel like I walk to downtown Chicago before I get to the station.

Only minus to me is it isn’t covered. But maybe they can put something in that has a cover on it, even if it isn’t temp controlled

I'm sure it's cheapest and easiest, but it's a missed opportunity given the terminal expansion is happening nearly concurrently, I think they should have tied into that since it's new construction rather than trying to fit inside an existing structure. Besides the walk being uncovered, I think not being on the same side of the street is another negative.

I'm not saying this is terrible, the addition of a transit connection is a major positive for the airport and like you said it's not going to be a major hardship for passengers to reach the station, I just think it could have been done so much better for not that much more cost, the current plan just looks like an afterthought.

kota wrote: ↑

Jun 24, 2023

 the State of Illinois was completely funding this extension to BLV and that construction was imminent (relatively speaking).

Completely is not clear. They put up $96M. 

quincunx wrote: ↑

Jun 24, 2023

jshank83 wrote: ↑

Jun 24, 2023

_nomad_ wrote: ↑

Jun 24, 2023

Right? It's insane that they didn't connect to the actual airport building like at Lambert

T2 is approx 400 ft walk and down a couple levels from the metro. And it has a lot more users that T1

This is 800 ft

I’m sure this was the cheapest easiest route to go to put it where it is. Best location? No. But I don’t have a huge issue with it. I’ve been to many airports with a much longer walk. Midway I feel like I walk to downtown Chicago before I get to the station.

Only minus to me is it isn’t covered. But maybe they can put something in that has a cover on it, even if it isn’t temp controlled

The walk to the T2 station can be miserable. There's an opportunity to do better here, and we should. If you're not going to do it right, then don't piss away all that money that can have higher ROI elsewhere. The whole thing is of dubious value, the station siting makes it even more.

I 100% think the money could have been used better elsewhere. I can’t imagine it gets that much use. Which is partially why I’m okay with them not spending extra money to move it closer to the terminal. But I hope I am wrong.

quincunx wrote: ↑

Jun 24, 2023

Are they going to fill in part of that pond?

Yes. A causeway will be constructed across this borrow pit pond.

I had a chance to use BLV over this past week, my first time using the new TSA screening area and gates. Much improved from the previous design where the TSA line dumped you right into the crowd waiting on their food orders. It feels like your typical airport screening process now. 

They are still building out the concessions area so there aren't many choices at the temporary snack bar besides a few sammies and drinks.

Haven't posted any BLV numbers on here in awhile

June numbers for BLV

Down 9.7% vs June 2022
Down 8.9% YTD vs 2022

Loads
St. Pete 94%
Punta Gorda 93.5%
Sarasota 93%
Orlando 93%
Jacksonville 91.5%
Savannah 86%
Myrtle Beach 84.5%
Destin 82%

Also the airport director left last month to take over in Johnson County, KS. So my info over there might dry up for a bit. He always was really open with me about things

Disappointing to see weaker numbers. Any reason for that? 

RockChalkSTL wrote: ↑

Sep 19, 2023

Disappointing to see weaker numbers. Any reason for that? 

Was told staffing issues. They were short pilots already and then had to pull a bunch from flying to get them trained on the 737. Hoping we start to see that rebound next year. I think Vegas came back on the schedule next year quicker than the airport expected.

Saw this and thought it was disappointing considering the timing of the FAA upgrade of México airlines. I was under the assumption that Mid-America was expecting something from this.

Mexico's move of cargo flights snarls planned Allegiant-VivaAerobus tie-up

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 023-08-03/

addxb2 wrote: ↑

Sep 19, 2023

Saw this and thought it was disappointing considering the timing of the FAA upgrade of México airlines. I was under the assumption that Mid-America was expecting something from this.

Mexico's move of cargo flights snarls planned Allegiant-VivaAerobus tie-up

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 023-08-03/

Yes. They expect a flight to Cancun once it can get worked out. Last I heard was in 2025

Two questions:
1) Is there any word of BLV courting other airlines yet now that the expansion has opened? I'd love to see someone like Contour or Breeze enter the market...could be really interesting.
2) When does/did work start on the FIS? 

I’d like to see someone try Chicago, either MDW or ORD would be fine.

codymartinpianist wrote: ↑

Nov 30, 2023

Two questions:
1) Is there any word of BLV courting other airlines yet now that the expansion has opened? I'd love to see someone like Contour or Breeze enter the market...could be really interesting.
2) When does/did work start on the FIS? 

1) viva Aerobus should eventually show up. There is a 2nd international airline I know that reached out to them with interest in coming (Caribbean). It isn’t well known so I don’t know how likely it is. Breeze I think is still a bit off. I also think STL is still more likely for breeze if they come. Maybe more likely Avelo? But that one is 100% a guess by me.

2) it is supposed to be done early 2025 so I would think it starts soon.

Those are good load numbers, I just wish we would see more frequency in the markets they now serve from BLV. I know you said they have a pilot shortage while they train for the 737 MAX and their lack of flights has kept me on WN for most of 2023 and 2024 so far.

pdm_ad wrote: ↑

Jan 21, 2024

Those are good load numbers, I just wish we would see more frequency in the markets they now serve from BLV. I know you said they have a pilot shortage while they train for the 737 MAX and their lack of flights has kept me on WN for most of 2023 and 2024 so far.

Vegas and Fort Lauderdale show back up next month so I think some things are breaking loose a bit. But they haven’t had a new route since covid. I still think they could get a base sometime in the next couple years. If they get a base I am under the impression Oakland would be added pretty quickly.

But 2023 definitely was a disappointment.