ST. LOUIS–The proposed MetroLink expansion project in St. Louis City got the green light to move ahead this morning, but construction isn’t expected to start for a few years. 


What You Need To Know

  • A Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners vote Friday approved authorizing a team to plan, design and develop a north-south route
  • Jefferson Alignment MetroLink Expansion would start at Chippewa and run north to the NGA

  • The next step is to hire a project management consultant. The official launch of a federal application for the expansion could come as soon as this summer but could also wait until the summer of 2024.

  • Construction would not start for several years

  • Related topic: Bi-State CEO talks expansion, flood recovery, staffing

A Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners vote Friday approved authorizing a team to plan, design and develop a north-south route. It was previously referred to as the Northside-Southside Expansion project and will now be called the Jefferson Alignment MetroLink Expansion project. 

The Bi-State Development team will start with the Project Management phase which includes preliminary planning and contracting with a selected consultant. The Board hopes to pick a consultant by late May 2023. The cost for this phase is approximately $7.4 million and will be paid with COVID-19 funds.

The official launch of a federal application for the expansion could come as soon as this summer but could also wait until the summer of 2024.

The design process alone would mean a two year wait before construction but lets parties involved build up the funds to pay for the project, which would be a 60%-40% split with the federal government contributing the greater share.

This phase of the expansion is focused on Jefferson Avenue and would start at Chippewa and run north to the National Geospatial Agency. A future phase could stretch into St. Louis County.