St. Louis Drops MetroLink Green Line Expansion Plan

St. Louis officials have discontinued plans for a new MetroLink "Green Line" light rail system. This decision comes after determining that the project was unlikely to secure the significant federal funding needed for its construction. The proposed line aimed to connect the city's north and south sides.

Instead of light rail, the Bi-State Development Agency, which oversees Metro Transit, has been directed to develop a bus rapid transit (BRT) system. This alternative will focus on serving the same north-south corridor, specifically along Jefferson Avenue.

Federal Funding Challenges Halt Light Rail Project

The primary reason for abandoning the Green Line MetroLink project was the low probability of securing essential federal grants. Top officials from the Bi-State Development Agency communicated this assessment to their board members. They stated that the current federal funding environment for transit projects made a light rail system for this corridor unfeasible.

The proposed Green Line project was estimated to cost around $1.1 billion. Securing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal support was critical for its advancement. Without this federal commitment, local officials concluded the project could not move forward as planned.

The decision by Bi-State follows concerns raised by St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer. Five months before this announcement, Mayor Spencer had requested clear evidence that the project could attract federal support before the city allocated more resources to it. Her skepticism about the light rail plan dates back several years.

Shift Towards Bus Rapid Transit

Following the discontinuation of the light rail plan, the Bi-State Development Agency has received new instructions. The agency is now tasked with designing a bus rapid transit (BRT) system. This BRT system is intended to provide expanded transit options for the region, specifically targeting the north-south corridor.

A memo from Bi-State officials indicates that the city remains committed to transit expansion. The focus has simply shifted to a more attainable and potentially less costly solution. The next step involves amending contracts with engineering firms that were working on the Green Line. These firms will now pivot to analyzing and preparing designs for a potential BRT system.

"Based on the information developed for the project and the current state of the transit federal funding program, it has been determined that pursuing a light rail project for this corridor is not likely to secure the required federal funding," Bi-State Development Agency officials stated in a memo to board members.

Jefferson Avenue Remains a Key Corridor

The study for the new bus rapid transit system will concentrate on Jefferson Avenue. This street was central to the previous light rail expansion plans. Keeping the focus on Jefferson Avenue ensures that the new transit solution addresses the same connectivity needs originally identified for the Green Line.

Mayor Spencer has historically favored less expensive transit options. During her 2021 mayoral campaign, she emphasized high-speed bus corridors and dedicated bus lanes as priorities. She defeated former City Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones in the mayoral election last April. Jones had championed the MetroLink route, which was later rebranded as the Green Line.

Route Details and Previous Criticisms

The proposed Green Line route spanned 5.5 miles. It was planned to run along Jefferson Avenue, from Chippewa Street to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) headquarters. The NGA facility is currently under construction northwest of downtown. From there, the line would have extended west along Natural Bridge Avenue to North Grand Boulevard.

Unlike much of the existing MetroLink system in Missouri and Illinois, which uses dedicated rights-of-way, the Green Line was designed to operate along existing streets. This operational model presented specific challenges and considerations for urban integration.

The project faced criticism from various groups. Leaders in some outer suburban areas, such as St. Charles County, questioned whether the line would serve enough residents to justify its significant cost. A local libertarian think tank, the Show-Me Institute, issued a critical report in 2023. This report controversially described the proposed route as going from "nowhere to nowhere," suggesting it lacked practical utility.

Project Oversight and Funding Sources

The Bi-State memo detailing the project's abandonment was prepared by Tom Curran, the agency's executive vice president for administration, and Chris Poehler, its vice president for capital programs. Both Poehler and Bi-State CEO Taulby Roach are scheduled to discuss the change with the board at an upcoming meeting.

In addition to potential federal grants, a city sales tax increase approved by voters in 2017 was earmarked for MetroLink expansion. By last year, this fund had grown to $90 million. Bi-State and city officials have not yet confirmed if they plan to use these sales tax funds for the new bus rapid transit system.

• The 2017 sales tax increase was specifically for MetroLink expansion.
• The fund reached $90 million by 2024.
• Discussion is ongoing about using these funds for BRT.

Denis Beganovic, a downtown resident and strong supporter of the original rail line and the 2017 tax increase, has raised questions about the use of these dedicated funds. He noted that the sales tax ballot measure and the aldermanic bill setting up the vote specifically mentioned a North/South MetroLink. Beganovic has called for Comptroller Donna Baringer and Budget Director Paul Payne to provide their legal opinions on whether these sales tax funds can be reallocated for bus rapid transit purposes.

The transition from a light rail project to a bus rapid transit system reflects an adaptation to financial realities and evolving transit priorities in St. Louis. The focus now shifts to developing an effective and fundable solution for north-south connectivity.