Northside Southside MetroLink Study nears completion

By

northside southsideAfter a year and a half of data analysis, study and public feedback from over 60 presentations, meetings and open houses, the Northside-Southside Study team is releasing their recommended first phase project alignment for the City of St. Louis.  The mission of the consulting team was to ensure the best route for Northside-Southside would align with community investment strategies, serve area neighborhoods and residents, and provide pedestrian access to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) West campus.

Thus, the study team led by AECOM is recommending to the Board of East-West Gateway Council of Governments, our metropolitan planning organization, a $667 million street-running light rail investment that would run from Chippewa Boulevard in the South through downtown to Grand Boulevard in the North via one of the two North St. Louis alignment options.

The first phase would:

  • Serve approximately 47,000 people;
  • Carry an estimated 9,200 transit riders per day (4,200 of which are transit-dependent riders);
    • Access 65,000 jobs within a half-mile of the route; and
    • Spur possibly millions of dollars in economic development throughout our neighborhoods.

 

The North St. Louis Alignment

 

northsidealignmentBoth the Florissant Avenue and the newly proposed Cass Avenue routes align with community investment strategies, including the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. These options also serve the pedestrian entrances to the new NGA West campus, Carr Square and Old North neighborhoods. Although both options fulfill project needs and provide access to jobs, redevelopment and neighborhoods, the final north St. Louis route will be chosen during the next project phase, following additional technical work and community input.

East-West Gateway Council of Governments Board to Receive 
Final Project Recommendation Later This Summer

The study team will submit its final project recommendation to the East-West Gateway Board at its August 29th board meeting. The next step is to secure funding for an environmental study and project development, expected to take place during the environmental review process. At this time, a preferred alignment through North St. Louis will be chosen.

CMT will host a Talking Transit event on Sept. 13 to  hear the results of this study in more detail. Register today!

 

 

Translate »