Red Line (St. Louis MetroLink) explained

Red Line
Type:Light rail
System:St. Louis MetroLink
Status:Operational
Locale:Greater St. Louis, Missouri–Illinois, U.S.
Start: (west)
End: (east)
Stations:29
(1 under construction)
Owner:Bi-State Development Agency
Operator:Metro Transit
Character:Elevated, subway, at-grade
Depot:Ewing Yard and Shops
29th Street Yard and Shops
Event1label:Previous names
Event1:Lambert Airport Branch
Linelength:38miles
Map State:collapsed

The Red Line is the older and longer line of the MetroLink light rail system in Greater St. Louis. It serves 29 stations across three counties and two states.

While officially light rail, the Red Line has many characteristics of a light metro, semi-metro, or rapid transit service,[1] including an independent right-of-way, a higher top speed, and level boarding at all platforms.[2] [3]

History

Transit planning along the Airport/Central corridor began in 1971, when it was selected as the region's primary target for further study. In 1983, funding was approved to evaluate five mode alternatives, which culminated in a 1984 draft environmental impact statement. After a series of public hearings, the East–West Gateway Council of Governments adopted light rail as the region's preferred mode.[4]

The budget for design, engineering, construction, and testing was $287.7 million (equivalent to $ in dollars). The city of St. Louis acquired unused railroad facilities and property with an estimated value of $100 million and donated it to the project, supplying the local match. Construction on the initial 13.9miles route, dubbed the Lambert Airport branch, began in 1990. It opened on July 31, 1993, with 16 stations between North Hanley and 5th & Missouri.[5] An extension to Lambert Airport Main opened on June 25, 1994, bringing the line to 17miles.[6] Three infill stations have since been added: East Riverfront in 1994, Lambert Airport East in 1998, and Cortex in 2018.[7] [8]

In 1998, construction began on a 17.4miles, eight-station extension from 5th & Missouri to Collegein St. Clair County, Illinois. The project was completed in May 2001 at a cost of $339.2 million, with $243.9 million paid by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and $95.2 million paid by the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD).[9] A $75 million, 3.51NaN1 extension from College to the Shiloh-Scott station opened in 2003. It was funded by a $60 million grant from the Illinois FIRST (Fund for Infrastructure, Roads, Schools, and Transit) Program and $15 million from SCCTD.[10]

On October 27, 2008, the Lambert Airport branch was renamed the Red Line.[11]

On July 26, 2022, a flash flood shut down MetroLink for nearly 72 hours and caused roughly $40 million in damage.[12] [13] Nearly 51NaN1 of track bed was damanged, along with two elevators, two communications rooms and three signal houses.[14] By September, Red Line service had returned to normal, although Blue Line service was still restricted.[15]

On July 31, 2023, Metro received $27.7 million in federal emergency disaster relief funding to help cover flood repairs.[16]

Route

The 38-mile (61 km) Red Line begins at Lambert St. Louis International Airport, making stops at the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 stations. It proceeds through Kinloch, then stops at the North Hanley station near Bel-Ridge. It makes two stops (UMSL North & UMSL South) at the University of Missouri St. Louis in Normandy. After UMSL, trains run on the old Wabash/Norfolk & Western Railroad's Union Depot line that once brought passenger trains from Ferguson to Union Station. It travels into Pagedale, stopping at the Rock Road station and then at Wellston's namesake station on Plymouth Street. The Red Line then crosses the St. Louis City/County boundary line at Skinker Boulevard, making a stop at the Delmar Loop station which serves the popular Delmar Loop area and is located just below the Wabash Railroad's Delmar Station building. The Red Line meets the Blue Line at the following station, Forest Park-DeBaliviere, then run on the same tracks until the Blue Line terminates at the Fairview Heights station in Illinois.

Shared alignment

In all the Red and Blue lines share tracks for 16 stations.[17] Moving west to east: the Central West End and Cortex stations that serve the popular Central West End neighborhood, Washington University Medical Center, and Cortex Innovation Community. The Grand station transfers with the busy #70 MetroBus line and serves Saint Louis University and its hospital. Next, the Union Station, Civic Center, Stadium, 8th & Pine, Convention Center, and Laclede's Landing stations serve downtown St. Louis and its many popular attractions. Crossing the historic Eads Bridge into Illinois, the line serves the East Riverfront, 5th & Missouri, Emerson Park, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, and Washington Park stations in East St. Louis, Illinois. At the next station, Fairview Heights, the Blue Line ends. The Red Line continues south to Belleville, Illinois, to its terminus at the Shiloh-Scott station at Scott Air Force Base.

Stations

From Lambert Airport to Shiloh-Scott (west to east)

StationTransferCity/town servedCountyOpening date
EdmundsonSt. Louis CountyJune 25, 1994[18]
Woodson TerraceDecember 23, 1998[19]
CarsonvilleJuly 31, 1993[20]
Normandy
Pagedale
Wellston
Independent city of St. Louis
July 31, 2018[21]
July 31, 1993
East St. LouisSt. Clair CountyMay 14, 1994[22]
July 31, 1993
May 5, 2001[23]
Fairview Heights
Belleville
Swansea
Belleville
College
ShilohJune 23, 2003[24]

Public artwork

In the initial design phase of MetroLink, Metro's Arts in Transit program commissioned a group of artists to design unique bridge piers for MetroLink viaducts. Collaborating with architects and engineers, the artists designed the arched supports that reflect an inverted version of the arch motif used throughout the MetroLink system. The bridge pier style is a signature of MetroLink design and appears in the subsequent St. Clair and Cross County extensions.[25]

In 2008, the Arts in Transit program commissioned a work for the alignment along Interstate 70 near Lambert Airport. Titled St. Louis Rhythm and created by Richard Elliot, it was made using roadway reflectors on 16 concrete Jersey barriers that are activated by the headlights of passing cars.[26]

In 2011, another Arts in Transit commission was installed on the shared alignment near Interstate 64 on the bridge over Vandeventer Avenue. Titled Blue Train and created by Clark Wiegman, a cubist locomotive represents the opening eight bars of the melody of “St. Louis Blues.” During the day, this piece appears as a locomotive spewing a trail of notes or an unfurling piano roll. At night, it becomes a geometric abstraction about linear dynamism and the implied form of the bridge punching through the surrounding ambient light.[27]

Projects in progress

MidAmerica Airport extension

In 2019, the St. Clair County Transit District was awarded $96 million in Illinois infrastructure funding to build a 5.2miles extension of the Red Line from Shiloh-Scott to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah.[28] This extension will include two 2.6miles segments, a double-track and a single-track segment, along with a station at the airport.[29] Construction on the extension began in 2023 with Metro expecting to begin operations in early 2026.[30] [31] [32]

System rehabilitation

In 2023, Metro began a system-wide rehabilitation program that will last several years.[33] Work on the Red Line will include the rehabilitation of the downtown and Union Station subway tunnels,[34] [35] including the 8th & Pine, Convention Center and Laclede's Landing stations.[36] [37] Elsewhere, catenary wire, curve tracks, platforms, retaining walls, staircases, and system conduit are to be upgraded or replaced.[38] [39]

In 2026, Metro expects to complete upgrades to the Supervisory Control Automated Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Public Address/Customer Information (PA/CIS) systems.[40] The upgraded SCADA/PA/CIS will operate as an integrated system that monitors and controls operations and will allow Metro to provide real-time arrival information to passengers, such as live displays at stations.[41]

Previous proposals

Previously proposed extensions of the Red Line are defunct; regional leaders have said their priority is the proposed Green Line expansion in the city of St. Louis.[42] [43]

St. Charles County

A plan to expand MetroLink NaNmiles from St. Louis Lambert International Airport northwest to St. Charles County was abandoned after St. Charles County voters twice rejected a sales tax for the extension in 1996; subsequently, all MetroBus service was ended.[44] Had the extension been funded, the route would have used the Old St. Charles Bridge (now demolished) over the Missouri River to access the county.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit . 2012 . Transportation Research Board . 978-0-309-25824-1 . en . September 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225052549/https://books.google.com/books?id=04z0Lw1qKiIC&q=MetroLink+St+louis+%22light+metro%22&pg=SA1-PA5#v=snippet&q=MetroLink%20St%20louis%20%22light%20metro%22&f=false . February 25, 2024 . live.
  2. Web site: Joint International Light Rail Conference . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130525061125/http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec112.pdf . May 25, 2013 . July 25, 2022 . Onlinepubs.trb.org . 671.
  3. Book: Henry, Lyndon . Sharing of Rail Transit Infrastructure by Streetcars and Larger Light Rail Vehicles: Design and Operational Issues . 2006 . 978-1-931594-23-3 . September 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200124195124/https://trid.trb.org/view/789880 . January 24, 2020 . live.
  4. Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Technology Sharing in Bringing LRT to St. Louis . Campion . Douglas R. . Wischmeyer, Jr. . Oliver W. . 1988 . . 221 . October 14, 2019.
  5. Web site: History . 2023-11-07 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  6. News: Tipton . Virgil . June 22, 1994 . Takeoff: MetroLink Opens Lambert Stop Saturday . St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  7. Web site: UrbanRail.Net > North America > USA > Missouri > St. Louis Metrolink . 2023-09-14 . www.urbanrail.net.
  8. Web site: Soon-to-open Cortex MetroLink Station is more than just another stop, say regional transit leaders . 2023-09-14 . STLPR . en.
  9. Web site: Metro – Inside MetroLink . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080911065930/http://www.metrostlouis.org/InsideMetro/QuickFacts/metrolink.asp . September 11, 2008 . October 23, 2007 . Metro.
  10. Web site: Metro – Inside MetroLink . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080911065930/http://www.metrostlouis.org/InsideMetro/QuickFacts/metrolink.asp . September 11, 2008 . October 23, 2007 . Metro.
  11. Web site: World.nycsubway.org: St. Louis, Missouri . April 10, 2016 . Nycsubway.org.
  12. Web site: Lindsey . August 16, 2022 . MetroLink Flood Damage Update . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220912184611/https://www.metrostlouis.org/nextstop/metrolink-flood-damage-update/ . September 12, 2022 . September 12, 2022 . metrostlouis.org . en.
  13. Web site: Schrappen . Colleen . August 21, 2022 . MetroLink to resume full service, but cost for flood repairs could double . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220912184611/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/metrolink-to-resume-full-service-but-cost-for-flood-repairs-could-double/article_70bf3e11-22c2-5a90-b4b3-8bce5bb133e5.html . September 12, 2022 . September 12, 2022 . STLtoday.com . en.
  14. Web site: Wanek-Libman . Mischa . 2022-07-29 . Metro St. Louis estimates flood damage between $18-$20 million . 2024-02-19 . Mass Transit.
  15. Web site: Jerry . 2022-09-01 . MetroLink Changes Starting September 5: Blue Line Service to Operate Between Shrewsbury and Forest Park . 2024-03-18 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  16. Web site: Schlinkmann . Mark . 2023-08-01 . Metro gets nearly $28 million in federal aid to cover repairs after 2022 flood . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230905225938/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/metro-gets-nearly-28-million-in-federal-aid-to-cover-repairs-after-2022-flood/article_beef2952-2fde-11ee-baa6-2f17be35d7f1.html . September 5, 2023 . 2023-09-05 . STLtoday.com . en.
  17. Web site: MetroLink Schematic Map . Metro St. Louis.
  18. News: June 24, 1994 . Clinton to Spend Friday in St. Louis . 4 . The Daily Journal . . April 15, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  19. News: December 23, 1998 . MetroLink's East Terminal Station Opens Today at Airport After Seven-Month Delay . B1 . The St. Louis Post-Dispatch . April 15, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  20. News: Lindecke . Fred W. . August 1, 1993 . Area Riders Throng to Try MetroLink . 1A, 6A . The St. Louis Post-Dispatch . April 15, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  21. News: August 1, 2018 . Metro Marks Opening of Cortex Station . A12 . The St. Louis Post-Dispatch . April 15, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  22. News: Goodrich . Robert . April 27, 1994 . E. St. Louis Starring in MetroLink . B1 . The St. Louis Post-Dispatch . April 15, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  23. News: Leiser . Ken . April 30, 2001 . MetroLink Extension Opens This Weekend With Parking to Spare . A9 . The St. Louis Post-Dispatch . April 15, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  24. News: Sutin . Phil . June 19, 2003 . Changes in Schedule Will Affect MetroLink and 22 Bus Routes . N2 . The St. Louis Post-Dispatch . April 15, 2021 . Newspapers.com.
  25. Web site: Bridge Piers . October 3, 2022 . Arts in Transit, Inc . en-US.
  26. Web site: St. Louis Rhythm . October 3, 2022 . Arts in Transit, Inc . en-US.
  27. Web site: Blue Train . October 3, 2022 . Arts in Transit, Inc . en-US.
  28. Web site: Schlinkmann . Mark . June 14, 2019 . Illinois to pay for long-sought MetroLink extension to MidAmerica Airport . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211102130441/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/illinois-to-pay-for-long-sought-metrolink-extension-to-midamerica-airport/article_473ea616-75fc-57d1-a131-6ae83a69eea2.html . November 2, 2021 . September 20, 2022 . STLtoday.com . en.
  29. News: January 19, 2022 . Trajectory for Transit in 2022 Points to Need for Continued Collaboration . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220203020428/https://cmt-stl.org/trajectory-for-transit-in-2022-points-to-need-for-continued-collaboration/ . February 3, 2022 . February 2, 2022.
  30. Web site: July 14, 2021 . When will MetroLink extension to MidAmerica Airport be complete? How much will it cost? - MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) Mascoutah, IL . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172751/https://flymidamerica.com/when-will-metrolink-extension-to-midamerica-airport-be-complete-how-much-will-it-cost/ . September 20, 2022 . September 20, 2022 . flymidamerica.com . en-US.
  31. Web site: Cella . Kim . November 1, 2023 . Construction Underway on MetroLink Extension Project in St. Clair County . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107030341/https://scctd.org/construction-underway-on-metrolink-extension-project-in-st-clair-county/ . November 7, 2023 . November 7, 2023 . St. Clair County Transit District . en-US.
  32. Web site: 2023-12-28 . Construction underway on 5-mile MetroLink extension from Scott AFB to MidAmerica Airport . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204194500/https://www.stlpr.org/economy-business/2023-12-28/metrolink-5-mile-extension-scott-air-force-base-to-midamerica-airport-underway . February 4, 2024 . 2024-02-05 . STLPR . en.
  33. Web site: Infrastructure Projects . 2024-11-28 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  34. Web site: Downtown Tunnel Repairs and Fire Suppression Upgrades . 2024-11-28 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  35. Web site: Union Station Tunnel Rehabilitation . 2024-11-28 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  36. Web site: 8th & Pine Station Enhancement Project . 2024-11-28 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  37. Web site: Convention Center Enhancement Project . 2024-11-28 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  38. Web site: MetroLink General Maintenance . 2024-11-28 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  39. Web site: Infrastructure Projects . 2024-11-28 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  40. Web site: MetroLink Software Enhancements . 2024-11-28 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  41. Web site: New MetroLink Customer Information System . 2024-11-28 . Metro Transit – Saint Louis . en.
  42. Web site: Schlinkmann . Mark . November 17, 2021 . St. Louis County back in picture for north-south MetroLink expansion . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220911211701/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/st-louis-county-back-in-picture-for-north-south-metrolink-expansion/article_2737f2a4-5bac-564e-a9d1-aa6fa8899b81.html . September 11, 2022 . September 11, 2022 . STLtoday.com . en.
  43. Web site: Schlinkmann . Mark . 2024-06-06 . New St. Louis MetroLink line connecting to North County may not happen . 2024-11-18 . STLtoday.com . en.
  44. Web site: Uptergrove . Kate . 2015-07-07 . St. Louis County to explore MetroLink expansion; St. Charles County says no . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220925191935/https://www.midriversnewsmagazine.com/news/st-louis-county-to-explore-metrolink-expansion-st-charles-county-says-no/article_917e6d61-ff8f-5f4b-890b-c0a3344e7c9d.html . September 25, 2022 . 2023-11-07 . MidRiversNewsMagazine.com . en.

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