MetroLink Expansion Studies Move Ahead
Date Posted: August 31, 2016
Posted In: Ideas,
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The region’s top planning agency voted Wednesday to approve agreements to fund studies of five possible MetroLink routes, including a new Ferguson connector proposed by St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger.
The action by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments followed Stenger’s announcement Tuesday that the county would help fund the study of the Northside-Southside route strongly backed by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay.
The move appeared to signal that the two leaders are more in tune on the future of light rail in the region. Stenger ignited controversy earlier this summer when he said he wanted to fund studies of only the three routes mostly outside the St. Louis city limits.
Slay, a member of the East-West Gateway board, said Wednesday he hopes the new funding agreements indicate closer cooperation between the city and St. Louis County as the region looks to expand its light rail system.
“All the different lines are being studied, and I think that’s a good thing,” Slay told the Post-Dispatch.
St. Louis Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed, also an East-West Gateway board member, said the Northside-Southside route would have benefits far beyond the city limits of St. Louis.
“I commend the county for stepping up and joining us,” he said after the meeting.
St. Louis County’s $3 million contribution will still pay for studies of three routes that are mostly in St. Louis County, but it now says the money can also help fund the north St. Louis County portion of the Northside-Southside route strongly backed by Slay.