MetroSouth Study Area

After months of analyzing potential light-rail alternatives for the Metro South study area, the East West Gateway Council of Governments has decided to put MetroLink expansion on hold.

The study team presented the evaluation results and public input to the East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWGCOG) Board of Directors in October 2004.

The detailed light-rail alternatives that were analyzed were: the Orange Alternative, which would follow River Des Peres to I-55 and terminate at either Reavis Barracks or Butler Hill; the Blue Alternative, which would travel adjacent to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) and I-55 and terminate at either Watson Road south of Kenrick Plaza or Butler Hill Road; and the Purple Alternative, which would run along Watson Road and end south of Kenrick Plaza. All of the alternatives, which serve South St. Louis County and the southwest portion of the City of St. Louis, would begin at the I-44/Lansdowne station where the current Cross-County line will end.

The alternatives were analyzed using more than 50 criteria that were developed according to the study's Purpose and Need goals: improving access to opportunity; fostering economic development; and preserving neighborhoods. Another consideration in the evaluation was performance and costs. Following the presentation to the EWGCOG Board, the study team will focus on completing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). In the DEIS, all the information that has been gathered during the study is summarized into one official document and sent to FTA and other federal and state agencies for review.

This route would connect in Green Park with the Cross County Phase II extension from Shrewsbury to Interstate 55 and Butler Hill Road in Oakville.

The results of the study have been tabled until East-West wraps up a Northside/Southside study that includes MetroLink expansion in both North City and South City.

For more information, please visit the Metro South Study website.