ST. LOUIS — MetroLink riders will not be impacted by the flooding damage for too much longer as Metro Transit announced Thursday that beginning next week, both MetroLink Red and Blue Line trains will be able to stop at all stations under a modified single-track operation. 

What You Need To Know

  • Both Red and Blue service lines will operate under a modified single-track operation starting Monday, Aug. 22

  • The original estimated cost of the damage was between $18 million to $20 million, and after more assessments over the past three weeks, Metro Transit has increased the total to $40 million

  • Most of the damage is between Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station and the Delmar Loop Station

  • The $40 million also includes adding flooding protection measures in case another historic flash flood happens

After record rainfall and flooding caused millions of dollars in damage to MetroLink train service and stations last month, crews were able to restore the Blue Line service partially while the Red Line Service was restored fully.

During Thursday’s press conference, Taulby Roach, Bi-State Development president and CEO, said both Red and Blue service lines will operate under a modified single-track operation.

Bi-State Development operates the Metro Transit public transportation system for the St. Louis City and County.

“We have to thank the public for their patience as we work through this extraordinary event,” Roach said.

Since the flood, Blue Line trains have been unable to connect to MetroLink stations with Red Line Trains and customers are currently being transported on bus shuttles to access Red Line trains.

“Our crews have been out over the past three weeks trying to get back up and running,” Roach said.

Delays still may be experienced on the Red Line between Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Delmar Loop stations, and on the Blue Line between Forest Park DeBaliviere and Big Bend Stations.

Elevators at Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station have been damaged beyond repair from the floodwater.

The original estimated cost of the damage was between $18 million to $20 million, and after more assessments over the past three weeks, Metro Transit has increased the total to $40 million.

The breakdown of the cost in damages include $10 million in rolling stock, $22 million in structures, $4 million in right-of-ways, and $1 million in labor costs, according to Roach.

Most of the damage is between Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station and the Delmar Loop Station.

The $40 million also includes adding flooding protection measures in case another historic flash flood happens. Metro Transit is seeking state and federal funding, as well as insurance to cover the cost, according to Roach.

“When our federal partners were in town, one of the things they asked us to do was build for resilience, so if this problem happened again, we would be able to respond and be able to weather some of these extraordinary storms,” Roach said.

During the modified single-track operation at the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station, all eastbound and westbound Red Line trains will board the westbound side of the platform; and all eastbound and westbound Blue Line trains will board on the eastbound side of the platform.

Additionally, all eastbound and westbound trains at the Skinker Station and the University City-Big Bend Station will board on the eastbound platform.

Also, under the new service plan, trains will arrive every 20 minutes. Blue Line riders should plan for 10-minute delays between Forest Park-DeBaliviere and the University City-Big Bend stations because of extra time needed for trains to move through the Fore Park-DeBaliviere station.

Red Line riders also should plan on 10-minute delays between the Delmar Loop and Forest Park-DeBaliviere stations due to the speed restrictions still in place from the flooding damage.

Beginning Monday, for those who need elevator service at Forest Park-DeBaliviere station can call for special transportation at 314-982-1400 ext. 4870 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. On weekends, the number to call is 314-289-6872.

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