Millstone Weber LLC has been awarded the contract for the first construction package in Metro Transit’s $52-million project to install security gates and fencing at MetroLink platforms on the 46-mile light rail system. The $6.4 million contract with Millstone Weber focuses on four MetroLink stations in St. Clair County: the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center Station, College Station, Emerson Park Station and Washington Park Station. The work at all four MetroLink stations is expected to be completed next spring. The project is the first of several construction packages tied to Metro Transit’s Secure Platform Plan that will be put out for bid.
The Secure Platform Plan is a multi-tiered security strategy to grow ridership and create a more secure environment for transit riders by creating centralized and highly secure entrances at MetroLink stations according to Bi-State Development. Access to MetroLink platforms will be gained through paid fare – and access to station platforms controlled through integrated fare collection gates. Installation of secure gates and fencing will be conducted in a phased approach over the next two years at all 38 MetroLink stations, as well as the new MetroLink station coming to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.
The project has been divided into six construction packages comprised of between four to eight MetroLink stations each. Each of the six construction packages will be put out for bid in a phased approach so that installation of gates and fencing would be underway at some stations while the design on another group of stations would be going on at the same time. The second construction package focuses on the Forest Park-DeBaliviere, Central West End, Cortex, Grand, Union Station, Civic Center and Delmar Loop MetroLink Stations. The design phase for that group of stations is scheduled to be completed later this year, with construction at those seven MetroLink stations expected to be completed next summer.
Metro Transit collaborated with design consultant HNTB to identify the most appropriate gating and fencing solutions for the Secure Platform Plan. HNTB’s primary recommendation of a roto-gate, complemented by a swing gate for ADA and emergency access was selected by Metro Transit. Following a comprehensive analysis and scoring criteria, welded-wire fencing was chosen, and it will provide both optimal security and visual appeal for MetroLink.
More than $10 million in private funding has been committed to the $52 million Secure Platform Plan project.