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50-500: Clayton station is a light rail station on the Blue Line of the St. Louis MetroLink system. This at-grade station is located in the median of Forest Park Parkway between South Central Avenue and South Meramec Avenue in downtown Clayton . Public parking is available in the attached county garage. However, this parking is not supplied by Metro, therefore charges may apply. The platform

100-415: A 750 V DC supply. Each car has an enclosed operator cab at each end. This configuration is the most flexible for operations but prevents travel between cars. Each car has separate doors for boarding at station level and track level; in normal operations, the track-level doors (equipped with stairs) are unused. In 2026, Metro plans to begin phasing out the original SD-400 cars and to refurbish

150-521: A 4-year, $ 18.9 million contract with the joint venture Northside-Southside Transit Partners to provide consulting services for the design phase of the project. In February 2024, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments approved the updated locally preferred alternative along Jefferson. The 2023 design study estimates 5,000 daily boardings, $ 8-9 million in annual operating costs, and $ 1.1 billion in capital costs. An extension of

200-606: A Semester Pass for full-time students. In 2018, Metro introduced the Gateway Card, a multi-use smart card that was intended to eliminate most paper passes and tickets. In 2023, Metro announced that it would replace the Gateway Card—one Bi-State official called it a "failed system"—with a new fare collection system as part of the Secure Platform Plan. † Two-hour passes can only be purchased as

250-625: A mobile fare option on the Transit app In 2019, the St. Clair County Transit District was awarded $ 96 million in Illinois infrastructure funding to build a 5.2-mile (8.4 km) extension of the Red Line from Shiloh–Scott to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah . This extension will include two 2.6-mile (4.2 km) segments, a double-track and a single-track segment, along with

300-650: A new fare collection system, Metro staff will operate the fare gates manually at first. The second package covers seven Missouri stations and is also slated for completion by late 2024. The remaining stations and the upgraded fare collection system are slated for completion by early 2026. MetroLink's proposed North-South light rail line would lack the rapid transit-like characteristics of the Red and Blue lines, resembling instead other U.S. on-street light rail lines, such as those in Houston or Phoenix . The new line has been named

350-645: A new fare collection system, more fences, passenger-assist telephones, and more than 1,800 cameras to be monitored at a center opened in November 2022 at Metro's Central Garage. The SPP will be implemented in three "packages" with full operation expected to begin in 2026. In September 2023, Bi-State awarded a $ 6.4 million contract to Millstone Weber LLC for the first package covering four Illinois stations. The gates at these first four stations began operating in September 2024. However, due to delays in implementing

400-502: A passenger initially boards. Some fares, such as monthly or weekly fares, do not need to be validated, but passengers must have the pass in their possession while riding and must show the pass to security personnel upon request. Reduced fares can be purchased by seniors ages 65+, people with disabilities, and children ages 5–12. Up to three children under 5 may ride free with a fare-paying rider. Proof of age may be requested of all people riding with reduced fares. Other types of passes include

450-653: A public-private partnership including Washington University, BJC HealthCare , Great Rivers Greenway and Cortex. The new Cortex station , located just east of Boyle Avenue, opened to the public on July 31, 2018. On July 26, 2022, the Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Delmar Loop MetroLink stations were impacted by a flash flood that shut down the system for nearly 72 hours and caused roughly $ 40 million in damage. Damages included nearly 5 miles (8.0 km) of track bed, two elevators, two communications rooms and three signal houses. Two MetroLink vehicles were

500-422: A soft, sulphureous bituminous coal that "choked" the tunnel with smoke. Coke burning engines were tried, but offered no improvement. Originally the tunnel was built with four ventilation shafts but these proved insufficient for the volume of traffic. In response, general manager Taussig directed engineer C. Shaler Smith to try mechanical ventilation. The result was a circular ventilation shaft 37 feet in diameter at

550-630: A station at the airport. Construction on the extension began in 2023 with Metro expecting completion in the spring of 2026. In 2023, Metro began a system-wide rehabilitation program that will last up to three years. That spring, Metro began rehabilitating the downtown subway tunnels , including the Laclede's Landing , Convention Center , and 8th & Pine subway stations. Elsewhere, catenary wire , curve tracks, platforms, retaining walls, staircases, and system conduit are to be upgraded or replaced. Beginning in 2024, Metro will start rehabilitating

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600-589: A total loss. On July 31, 2023, Metro received $ 27.7 million in federal emergency disaster relief funding to help cover the cost of flood damage. In 2023, Bi-State's board approved a memorandum of understanding authorizing the Metro team to plan and develop the Green Line expansion project with the City of St. Louis. In May, Metro received a $ 196.2 million federal grant to purchase new light rail vehicles to replace

650-540: Is a fifth element based on the idea of good fortune.  This concept takes the form of four aluminum panels suspended alongside the glass pieces. They are pierced with abstract silhouettes inspired by symbols of good luck and symbols from Peruvian, Chinese, and African cultures. In 2008, the Arts in Transit program commissioned a work for the MetroLink station. Titled Grandfather Clocks and created by Carol Fleming,

700-409: Is accessed via stairs and an elevator from a pedestrian bridge connected to the adjacent Clayton MetroBus Center and parking garage. In 2004, Metro's Arts in Transit program commissioned the work Oasis by Catherine Woods for the adjacent MetroBus transfer center. The panels of laminated glass are inspired by the four basic alchemical elements; earth, air, fire, and water. Included in the design

750-570: The Dome and convention facilities at America's Center . It then exits the tunnel and makes stops on both sides of the historic Eads Bridge , first at the Laclede's Landing station and then the East Riverfront station in East St. Louis, Illinois . From there, it runs at-grade serving the 5th & Missouri , Emerson Park , Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center and Washington Park stations until

800-578: The Greater St. Louis area. Operated by Metro Transit in a shared fare system with MetroBus , the two-line, 38-station system runs from St. Louis Lambert International Airport and Shrewsbury in Missouri to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Intermediate destinations include downtown Clayton , Forest Park , and downtown St. Louis . It is the only U.S. light rail system to cross state lines. In 2023, MetroLink had about 6,717,900 riders. As of

850-552: The Green Line and would connect to the Red and Blue lines with an infill transfer station. This 5.6-mile (9.0 km) line would serve about 10 stations between Chippewa Street in South St. Louis and Grand Boulevard in North St. Louis running primarily on Jefferson Avenue. It would provide a fixed rail upgrade to Metro's #11 (Chippewa) and #4 (Natural Bridge) bus routes. In September 2023, Bi-State Development's board approved

900-734: The Jefferson Avenue viaduct before they enter the next stop at Union Station , located partially beneath the historic train shed at the popular St. Louis Union Station . A short distance later, trains stop at the Civic Center station and connect with the Gateway Transportation Center and Enterprise Center . Trains then continue east along Interstate 64 turning north toward the Stadium station. Stadium station serves Busch Stadium , Cupples Station, and

950-610: The MacArthur and Merchants bridges. In 1971, regional transit planners identified the Airport/Central Corridor alignment as the region's primary target for further study. In the 1987 draft environmental impact statement , light rail was selected as the region's preferred mode alternative. In 1989, after it was determined the downtown portion would use the Eads Bridge and existing tunnel for light rail,

1000-819: The Richmond Heights station, which serves the Saint Louis Galleria shopping mall. The line then proceeds through a sharp turn east to the Clayton station in the median of Forest Park Parkway in Clayton, Missouri , where it serves the Central Business District of St. Louis County . It heads east to the Forsyth station where it enters a tunnel to the University City-Big Bend subway station. After crossing

1050-692: The Rock Road station and then at Wellston's namesake station on Plymouth Street. From here, the Red Line crosses the St. Louis City/County boundary at Skinker Boulevard, making a stop at the Delmar Loop station, which serves the Delmar Loop area and is located just below the Wabash Railroad 's old Delmar Station building. At the following station, Forest Park-DeBaliviere , the Red Line meets

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1100-769: The Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 station in Shrewsbury , just west of the River des Peres . It crosses over Interstate 44 and continues north to two stations in Maplewood, Missouri ( Sunnen and Maplewood/Manchester ). The line continues north to the Brentwood I-64 station in Brentwood, Missouri , just south of Interstate 64 . It then proceeds in a tunnel underneath Interstate 64, continuing to

1150-662: The Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 stations. It proceeds through Kinloch before reaching the North Hanley station near Bel-Ridge . It stops twice at the University of Missouri St. Louis in Normandy : UMSL North and UMSL South . It heads south on the former Wabash/Norfolk & Western Railroad's Union Depot line that once brought passenger trains from Ferguson to Union Station . It travels into Pagedale , stopping at

1200-971: The Union Station tunnel and the Cross County tunnels and stations between Forsyth and Skinker . The latter will include the construction of a storage siding near the Richmond Heights station. In 2025, Metro expects to complete upgrades to the Supervisory Control Automated Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Public Address/Customer Information (PA/CIS) systems. 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. In 2024, Metro Transit began adding turnstiles at all MetroLink stations as part of its $ 52 million Secure Platform Plan (SPP). Stations will also receive

1250-597: The 5th & Missouri station in East St. Louis began in 1990. The first 13.9-mile (22.4 km) segment with 16 stations opened on July 31, 1993 between the North Hanley and 5th & Missouri stations and initially operated with 31 high-floor vehicles. The remainder of this initial 17-mile (27 km) alignment was completed on June 25, 1994, when the extension to Lambert Airport Main opened. Three infill stations have been added to this original alignment: East Riverfront in 1994, Lambert Airport East in 1998, and Cortex in 2018. About 14 miles (22.5 km) of

1300-699: The Blue Line terminates at the Fairview Heights station in Fairview Heights, Illinois . From here, Red Line trains continue to their terminus at the Shiloh-Scott station in Shiloh, Illinois . MetroLink operates 87 Siemens SD-400 and SD-460 light rail vehicles. Each 90-foot-long (27 m), single articulated vehicle has four high platform doors per side and can hold 72 seated and 106 standing passengers. The cars are powered by an electric motor which gets its electricity from an overhead line with

1350-432: The Blue Line. From this station, the two services share track until the Blue Line terminates at the Fairview Heights station in Illinois. From Fairview Heights, the Red Line continues south, serving Belleville, Illinois , and then terminating at the Shiloh-Scott station near Scott Air Force Base . For the rest of the Red Line, see the " Shared alignment " section. The 24-mile (38.6 km) Blue Line alignment starts at

1400-509: The Downtown Tunnel, including three of its stations: 8th & Pine , Convention Center , and Laclede's Landing . The tunnel is notable for its brick and stone construction. Its foundations are made up primarily of Aux Vases sandstone while the upper portion of the tunnel is constructed of brick barrel vaults. In the subway stations that were cut into the tunnel, the ends of the platforms are met with brick archways that complement

1450-429: The Eads Bridge, James B. Eads , worked out the specifications for the tunnel. It would be a cut-and-cover tunnel 4,460 feet (1,360 m) long and 30 feet (9.1 m) below street level. Several problems arose during construction of the bridge and tunnel including design changes, inflated land and labor costs, and renegotiated contracts that escalated construction costs 46% over initial estimates. The tunnel structure

1500-580: The Grand and Union Station stops just west of downtown St. Louis; 29th Street Yard is located between the JJK Center and Washington Park stops in East St. Louis. MetroLink uses a proof-of-payment system. Tickets can be purchased at ticket-vending machines at the entrance to all stations and must be validated before boarding the train. Single-ride tickets are good for up to two hours in the direction that

1550-730: The Green Line into North St. Louis County had been explored. In 2023, four alternatives were proposed that would have continued the line from the Grand/Fairground station along Natural Bridge Avenue toward the county. By 2024, County leadership had rejected all four routes primarily due to the unfunded 3-mile (4.8 km) gap between the Grand/Fairground station and the county line. Additionally, concerns were raised about federal funding, ridership, right-of-way constraints and other factors. Instead, county leaders are exploring alternatives for North County such as light rail branching off

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1600-820: The Red and Blue lines share tracks for 16 stations. Continuing east, the Central West End station serves the Washington University Medical Center including Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals. The next station, Cortex , was built to serve the Cortex Innovation Community . From here is the Grand station, located under the Grand Boulevard viaduct, which serves Saint Louis University and its namesake hospital . Trains then pass under

1650-484: The SD-460 cars for continued use. In May 2023, Metro received a $ 196.2 million federal grant to purchase up to 48 Siemens S200 high-floor light rail vehicles to replace 25 of the oldest cars. Six months later, Bi-State's board approved a contract with Siemens Mobility worth up to $ 390.4 million for as many as 55 new light rail vehicles. Metro operates two storage and maintenance facilities. Ewing Yard sits between

1700-505: The St. Clair County Transit District. The 8-mile (12.9 km) Cross County Extension opened on August 26, 2006 and added nine stations from Forest Park-DeBaliviere to Shrewsbury, Missouri . Intermediate stops include service to Washington University , Clayton , the Saint Louis Galleria and Maplewood . The entire project was funded by a $ 430 million Metro bond issue. Citing repeated delays and cost overruns, Metro fired and then sued its general contractor, Cross County Collaborative, in

1750-454: The St. Louis City/County boundary, the Blue Line stops at the Skinker subway station, the last stop serving nearby Washington University . At the following station, Forest Park-DeBaliviere , the Blue Line meets the Red Line. From this station, the two services share track until the Blue Line terminates at the Fairview Heights station in Illinois. From the Forest Park-DeBaliviere station,

1800-593: The United States: Downtown Tunnel (St. Louis) City leaders had wanted a wagon bridge to the heart of the city to highlight downtown St. Louis. However, economics required that it be a railroad bridge, but there was no space for railroads on downtown streets. Therefore, a tunnel was authorized to connect the Eads Bridge to the Missouri Pacific Railroad to the south (and later to Union Station ). The designer of

1850-440: The base, 15 feet at the top, and 130 feet tall. The fan was 15 feet in diameter and 9 feet wide powered by a 192 horsepower engine. Once complete the fan operated 24/7 and the four older ventilation shafts were permanently closed. The engineers that operated it lived in a building erected around the ventilation shaft. The structure was built above the tunnel near St. Charles Street and has since been demolished. In 1889, Jay Gould

1900-654: The city of St. Louis swapped the MacArthur Bridge for the Eads Bridge with the Terminal Railroad Association. In 1991, rehabilitation began on the subway tunnel for MetroLink with it reopening in 1993. In 1992, just east of the present day Convention Center station, a portion of the tunnel beneath Washington Avenue and Broadway collapsed, injuring no one. In 2023, Metro Transit began a system-wide rehabilitation program that will last up to three years. That spring, Metro began rehabilitating

1950-441: The company eventually defaulted on its debts and a federal court appointed J.P. Morgan and Solon Humphreys as receivers. In 1878, the newly formed St. Louis Bridge Company purchased the bridge and tunnel out of bankruptcy for $ 2 million, a third of its original cost, then transferred it in 1880 to interests controlled by Jay Gould . By 1882, roughly 272 trains were using the tunnel per day. These trains were steam engines burning

2000-434: The existing Red Line near the University of Missouri–St. Louis , rapid bus service or a hybrid of the four 2023 alternatives. These extensions were proposed between the year 2000 and in 2010 when Metro released its 30-year long range plan, Moving Transit Forward . Most are defunct; regional leaders have said their priorities are the proposed extensions in the city of St. Louis and North St. Louis County. Other transit in

2050-558: The front and side that identify the train as a Red or Blue line train, and operators make live announcements identifying lines and stations. On September 9, 2014, the United States Department of Transportation announced $ 10.3 million in funding for a new Metrolink station between the Central West End and Grand stations in the Cortex Innovation Community . An additional $ 5 million in funding was provided by

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2100-776: The original 17-mile (27 km) alignment reused existing railroad right-of-way including historic downtown tunnels . The capital cost to build the initial phase of MetroLink was $ 465 million, including $ 348 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Construction on the St. Clair County MetroLink extension from the 5th & Missouri station to the College station in Belleville began in 1998 and it opened in May 2001. The extension added eight stations and seven park-ride lots. The total project cost

2150-557: The popular Ballpark Village district. Here, the line enters the historic Downtown Tunnel that was built in 1874 and converted to light rail usage beginning in 1991. The next station is 8th & Pine , a subway station located under 8th Street serving the Central Business District . Following a curve eastward under Washington Avenue , the line then enters the Convention Center subway station serving

2200-431: The remaining SD-400 cars. Six months later, Bi-State's board approved a contract with Siemens Mobility worth up to $ 390.4 million for as many as 55 new S200 light rail vehicles with delivery expected to begin in 2026. Below is a list of dates on which segments of the MetroLink system opened for service. The 38-mile (61.2 km) Red Line alignment begins at Lambert St. Louis International Airport , making stops at

2250-734: The summer of 2004. Metro sought $ 81 million in damages for fraud and mismanagement while the Collaborative counter-sued for $ 17 million for work that Metro hadn't paid for. On December 1, 2007, a jury awarded the Collaborative $ 2.56 million. On October 27, 2008, Metro renamed the Lambert Airport branch the Red Line and the Shrewsbury branch the Blue Line . Blue Line service was also extended from its former terminus at Emerson Park to Fairview Heights . All trains have signs on

2300-546: The third quarter of 2020, its ridership ranked 11th among the country's light rail systems , and second only to Minneapolis Metro Transit in the Midwestern United States . MetroLink shares some characteristics of a light metro or rapid transit service, including a largely independent right-of-way, a higher top speed, and level boarding at all platforms. Construction on the initial MetroLink alignment from St. Louis Lambert International Airport to

2350-444: The three glazed ceramic sculptures are reminiscent of the old, regal railroad clocks. This article related to Metro Transit (St. Louis) is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Missouri train station-related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . St. Louis MetroLink MetroLink ( reporting mark BSDA ) is a light rail system with semi-metro characteristics that serves

2400-621: Was $ 339.2 million with $ 243.9 million paid by the FTA and $ 95.2 million paid by the St. Clair County Transit District (via a 1/2 cent sales tax passed in November 1993). In May 2003, a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) extension from the College station to the Shiloh-Scott station opened. This $ 75 million project was funded by a $ 60 million grant from the Illinois FIRST (Fund for Infrastructure, Roads, Schools, and Transit) Program and $ 15 million from

2450-467: Was completed by June 24, 1874, and the bridge would open less than a month later on July 4. When it first opened, the tunnel had few users and had already been spun off as the St. Louis Tunnel Railroad Company led by William Taussig . In 1875, Taussig would supervise the opening of the first Union Depot on Poplar Street, between 11th and 12th streets near the mouth of the tunnel. At that time, many railroads did not have licenses to operate in Missouri and

2500-543: Was instrumental in the creation of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA), who took ownership of the bridge and tunnel. Gould died in 1892, but his involvement in the TRRA led to the construction of Union Station in 1894. Due to the increasing dimensions of railroad cars, the tunnel saw its last train; an Amtrak passenger train in 1974. Freight and passenger traffic then switched to

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