An organization has been formed to study the expansion of MetroLink light rail into
South St. Louis County. Any such expansion is several years away, but proposed routes
are being selected right now. Originally, eight
routes were proposed, one of which would actually run on Grant's Trail for one mile!
All eight of the original proposed routes intersect
the trail at some point, with proposed stations located on or
near the trail in all proposed routes.
The Metro South Study Organization is conducting the study.
Here’s an excerpt from their map showing the portion of Grant’s
Trail that would have been taken by the Alignment 1 Option route.
This map was provided by the Metro South Study Organization.
Click here to see the full map (127KB).
Now the good news...
MetroSouth has dropped the red route from consideration!
Our trail is safe (for now).
Below is a letter I received on February 20, 2004, from Atia
Thurman of MetroSouth. This letter is also shown on the
page with the full map, so you can view the map in context of the
routes that Ms. Thurman discusses in her letter.
From: Atia Thurman
Date: 02/20/2004
Subject: Metro South MetroLink
Alternatives Narrowed Down
In bringing the study a step closer to
its goal of identifying a light-rail route and other transit
improvements for South St. Louis County, the study team has
identified and defined three alternatives that will advance for
detailed analysis. They are the Orange and Blue lines, which
would both terminate at Butler Hill Road, and the Purple line, a
much shortened version of the Red line, that would end at or near
Watson/Kenrick Plaza. All of the alternatives originate at
the Lansdowne/Shrewsbury station. The decision to advance these
alternatives was based on a technical evaluation, along with
public input. These draft detailed alternatives will now be
analyzed based on how they meet the goals and objectives outlined
in the Purpose and Need Statement, and how they compare to other
proposed transit improvements.
The four preliminary alternatives were rated unfavorable,
neutral, or favorable based on how they compared to one another
according to 37 evaluation criteria in the following areas:
access to opportunity; economic development; neighborhood
preservation; and performance and costs. Overall, the Blue route
came out as the strongest and rated particularly favorable when
it came to economic development impacts. The Orange alternative
was rated slightly better than the Blue alternative in the areas
of neighborhood preservation and performance. The full Red route
rated the least favorable of all the preliminary alternatives.
However, the Purple line, a much shortened version of the Red
route, is being considered because of the potential for economic
development near Kenrick Plaza, and its potential to still meet
the transportation goals of the Metro South Study and serve South
St. Louis County commuters with less overall community impact.
The Green route, which is not being carried forth for detailed
analysis, performed favorably in the category of access to
opportunity, but did not rate well in other categories,
especially neighborhood preservation.
The Orange alternative would travel along River Des Peres
Boulevard. It would follow the boulevard to a point where it
crosses to the north side of the River Des Peres to interface
with the Gravois Hampton Bus Transfer Station. From here, it
would parallel the River Des Peres to Interstate 55, where it
would turn south and run to a terminus station at Butler Hill
Road. A possible option on this alignment would be a terminus
station at Reavis Barracks Road along with a park-and-ride lot.
The Blue line would follow the Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railway right-of-way south to a point north of Lindbergh
Boulevard where it would cross to the east side of Interstate 55
and run adjacent to the Westfield Shoppingtown South County
Center. It would then proceed south on Interstate 55 to a
terminus station at Butler Hill Road.
The Purple alternative would run along River Des Peres Boulevard
to Chippewa/Watson Road. It would then run west along Watson
Road to a terminus station near Kenrick Plaza and Trianon
Parkway.
For more information about the study, or to view the map, please
visit our web site at www.metrosouthstudy.org or call our
hotline at 314-621-4499. |
