Blue Line (St. Louis MetroLink)

For other routes of the same name, see Blue Line.

Blue Line
A Blue Line train in Clayton in 2024
Overview
Other name(s)	Cross County Extension
Status	Operational
Owner	Bi-State Development Agency
Locale	Greater St. Louis, Missouri–Illinois, U.S.
Termini	Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 (west) Fairview Heights (east)
Stations	25
Website	metrostlouis.org/metrolink
Service
Type	Light rail
System	St. Louis MetroLink
Operator(s)	Metro Transit
Depot(s)	Ewing Yard and Shops 29th Street Yard and Shops
History
Opened	August 26, 2006
Previous names	Shrewsbury Branch
Technical
Line length	24 mi (39 km)
Character	Elevated, subway, at-grade
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification	Overhead line,  750 V DC
Route map Blue Line highlighted in blue Show interactive map Legend Shrewsbury–Lansdowne I-44 I-44 BNSF Railway Union Pacific Railroad Sunnen Maplewood–Manchester Brentwood I-64 I-64 Richmond Heights Clayton Forsyth University City–Big Bend Skinker Red Line to Lambert Airport Terminal 1 Forest Park–DeBaliviere Central West End Cortex I-64  / US 40 Grand Ewing Yard I-64  / US 40 Union Station Civic Center Stadium 8th & Pine Convention Center I-44 Laclede's Landing Eads Bridge over the Mississippi River MO IL East Riverfront 5th & Missouri I-64 Emerson Park Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center I-64 29th Street Yard Washington Park I-255  / US 50 Fairview Heights Red Line to Shiloh–Scott Tracks shared with the Red Line All stations are accessible This diagram: view talk edit Show route diagram

The Blue Line is the newer and shorter line of the MetroLink light rail service in Greater St. Louis. It serves 25 stations across three counties and two states.

While officially light rail, the Blue Line features many characteristics of a light metro, semi-metro or rapid transit service, ^[1] including a completely independent right of way, a higher top speed, and level boarding at all platforms. ^{[2] [3]}

History

A #14 University-Clayton streetcar in the 1960s. Today, the Blue Line operates in this right of way.

Much of the Blue Line follows former railroad right of way. Starting north from Shrewsbury, the alignment crosses BNSF's Southeastern Junction and follows former Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis right of way to Clayton, briefly along Interstate 170. The stretch running eastward along Forest Park Parkway between Clayton and the Forest Park–DeBaliviere station was a Rock Island railroad right of way until it was abandoned in 1931. The section between Pershing and DeBaliviere avenues carried the #1 Kirkwood and the #14 University-Clayton streetcar lines until 1963. ^{[4] [5]}

The westbound platform at University City-Big Bend on the Blue Line

In 1999, East-West Gateway staff members submitted an updated conceptual design for Segment 1 of the Cross County extension between Forest Park and Shrewsbury. ^[6] Metro did not seek federal funding, instead issuing $430 million in bonds against Proposition M sales taxes. ^[7] After several delays and design changes, construction began on April 9, 2003 with an estimated cost of $550 million. ^[8]

Citing repeated delays and cost overruns, Metro fired and then sued its general contractor, Cross County Collaborative, in 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. ^[9]

The 8-mile (12.9 km) Cross County extension opened on August 26, 2006 with a final cost of $676 million ^[10] and added nine stations between Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Shrewsbury–Lansdowne I-44. ^[7] From its 2006 opening until October 27, 2008, the Blue Line was known as the Shrewsbury branch. ^[11]

In 2013, the St. Louis County Council authorized loaning Metro $400 million of surplus Proposition A funds to pay off debt related to the Cross County extension. ^[12]

On July 26, 2022, portions of the Blue Line were impacted by a flash flood that shut down the system for nearly 72 hours and caused roughly $40 million in damage. ^{[13] [14]} Damages included two elevators, two communications rooms and three signal houses. ^[15] By that September, normal Red Line service had resumed while restricted service continued on the Blue Line. ^[16] On July 31, 2023, Metro received $27.7 million in federal emergency disaster relief funding to help cover the cost of flood damage. ^[17]

In March 2024, Blue Line platform and speed restrictions were lifted with the last damaged signal house now operational. ^[18]

Route

A view of the viaduct carrying the Blue Line over Manchester Road in Maplewood, Missouri.

The 24-mile (39 km) Blue Line alignment starts in Shrewsbury, Missouri (Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44) just west of the River des Peres. It crosses over Interstate 44 and continues north to the next two stations located in Maplewood, Missouri (Sunnen and Maplewood/Manchester).^{[ citation needed ]} The line then continues north to the Brentwood I-64 station, located in Brentwood, Missouri just south of Interstate 64.^{[ citation needed ]} It then proceeds north in a tunnel underneath Interstate 64, continuing to the Richmond Heights station serving the popular Saint Louis Galleria shopping mall.^{[ citation needed ]} 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.^{[ citation needed ]} It heads further east to the Forsyth station where it then enters a tunnel traveling to the University City-Big Bend subway station.^{[ citation needed ]} After crossing the St. Louis City/County boundary, the Blue Line makes its last stop at the Skinker subway station serving nearby Washington University.^{[ citation needed ]} At the following station, Forest Park-DeBaliviere, the Blue Line meets the Red Line. From this station the two services share a track alignment with each other until the Blue Line terminates at the Fairview Heights station in Illinois.^{[ citation needed ]}

Shared Alignment

Blue Line tracks near the Maplewood-Manchester station.

From the Forest Park-DeBaliviere station, the Blue and Red lines share the same set of tracks for the next 16 stations. ^[19] Continuing east, the Central West End and Cortex stations serve the popular Central West End neighborhood, Washington University Medical Center and Cortex Innovation Community.^{[ citation needed ]} The Grand station transfers with the busy #70 MetroBus line and serves Saint Louis University and its hospital.^{[ citation needed ]} Next, the Union Station, Civic Center, Stadium, 8th & Pine, Convention Center and Laclede's Landing stations serve downtown St. Louis and its many popular attractions.^{[ citation needed ]} Crossing the historic Eads Bridge into Illinois, the line serves the East Riverfront, 5th & Missouri, Emerson Park, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, and Washington Park stations in East St. Louis, Illinois.^{[ citation needed ]} At the next station, Fairview Heights, the Blue Line terminates and the shared alignment ends.^{[ citation needed ]}

Stations

From Shrewsbury−Lansdowne I-44 to Fairview Heights (west to east)

Station	Transfer	City/town served	County	Opening date
Shrewsbury–Lansdowne I-44		Shrewsbury	St. Louis County	August 26, 2006 [20]
Sunnen		Maplewood
Maplewood–Manchester
Brentwood I-64		Brentwood
Richmond Heights		Richmond Heights
Clayton		Clayton
Forsyth
University City–Big Bend		University City
Skinker		Independent city of St. Louis
Forest Park–DeBaliviere	Red			July 31, 1993 [21]
Central West End
Cortex				July 31, 2018 [22]
Grand				July 31, 1993 [21]
Union Station
Civic Center
Stadium
8th & Pine
Convention Center
Laclede's Landing
East Riverfront		East St. Louis	St. Clair County	May 14, 1994 [23]
5th & Missouri				July 31, 1993 [21]
Emerson Park				May 5, 2001 [24]
Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center
Washington Park
Fairview Heights		Fairview Heights

Public artwork

In 2002, Metro's Arts in Transit program commissioned a group of artists to join architects and engineers during the design phase of the Cross County extension. This practice of artist participation during system design began during the design and construction of the initial 1993 MetroLink alignment. ^[25] The work of these artists involved exploration of landscape alternatives, designing the paving patterns for concrete adjacent to stations, and creating the “flow”-patterned retaining walls running along the tracks in the below-grade stretches of the alignment. ^[25]

In 2006, the Arts in Transit program commissioned a work made for at-grade stretches of the alignment. An overlay of lacy aluminum silhouettes, titled A Walk in the Park, embellishes the concrete privacy fence, called the Catlin Wall, which runs parallel to the tracks between the Skinker and Forest Park-DeBaliviere stations. Created by Andy Cross, Carl Harris, and Ty de LaVenta, the work is a series of cut metal panels depicting trees, vines, leaves, and trellises. ^[26]

Projects in progress

System rehabilitation

In 2023, Metro began a system-wide rehabilitation program that will last several years. ^[27] Work on the Blue Line will include the rehabilitation of the Cross County tunnels along with the Skinker and University City–Big Bend stations. ^[28] Included is the construction of a storage siding near the Richmond Heights station. ^[29] Elsewhere, catenary wire, curve tracks, platforms, retaining walls, staircases, and system conduit are to be upgraded or replaced. ^{[27] [30]}

In 2026, Metro expects to complete upgrades to the Supervisory Control Automated Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Public Address/Customer Information (PA/CIS) systems. ^[31] 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. ^[32]

Previous proposals

Previously proposed extensions of the Blue Line are defunct; regional leaders have said their priority is the proposed Green Line expansion in the city of St. Louis. ^{[33] [34]}

Cross County

1. MetroSouth. This 6–12-mile (9.7–19.3 km) extension was envisioned as Cross County Segment 2 and would have extended the current Blue Line from its terminus in Shrewsbury further south beyond Interstates 270/255 to Butler Hill Road. A third alternative would have ended at Watson Road. ^[35] An environmental impact study was completed in 2004; however, selection of an LPA was deferred due to the lack of local funding sources as well as other factors. ^[36]
2. MetroNorth. This approximately 12-mile (19 km) extension was envisioned as Cross County Segment 3 and would have extended the current Blue Line from Clayton towards Florissant, Missouri. ^[37] Some of this segment would have followed the former Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis' Central Belt right-of-way paralleling Interstate 170. ^[37]
3. Daniel Boone. This 8–10-mile (13–16 km) extension would have branched off the Cross County corridor near Olive Boulevard along disused Rock Island Railroad right-of-way. It would then turn west and follow existing trackage operated by Central Midland Railway to Page Avenue where the line would continue to Westport Plaza. ^{[38] [39]} An approximately 12-mile (19 km) extension to Chesterfield would have been a potential Phase 2 of the Daniel Boone branch. The alignment would have continued west following Page Avenue and Highway 364 then turning towards Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park. From there it would have headed to Spirit of St. Louis Airport in the Chesterfield Valley. ^[37]

See also

• Bi-State Development Agency
• Green Line (MetroLink)
• Red Line (MetroLink)
• Metro Transit
• St. Clair County Transit District
• List of St. Louis MetroLink stations

References

1. Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit. Transportation Research Board. 2012. ISBN   978-0-309-25824-1. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
2. "Joint International Light Rail Conference" (PDF). Onlinepubs.trb.org. p. 671. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
3. Henry, Lyndon (2006). Sharing of Rail Transit Infrastructure by Streetcars and Larger Light Rail Vehicles: Design and Operational Issues. ISBN   978-1-931594-23-3. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
4. Andrew D. Young (1988). The St. Louis Streetcar Story. Glendale, CA: Interurban Press. p. 205.
5. Andrew D. Young (1988). The St. Louis Streetcar Story. Glendale, CA: Interurban Press. p. 9.
6. "Cross County MetroLink Extension, Conceptual Design 1999" (PDF). East-West Gateway Council of Governments. June 30, 1999. pp. 2–3. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
7. "Metro Announces August 26 Grand Opening Date for Cross County MetroLink Extension" (PDF) (Press release). Metro. August 7, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
8. "Metro Breaks Ground on Cross County MetroLink Extension". STLPR. April 9, 2003. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
9. American, Jessica Bassett Of the St Louis (December 6, 2007). "Metro loses suit against Cross County Collaborative". St. Louis American. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
10. "MetroLink Cross-County Extension". RailWorks. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
11. "World.nycsubway.org: St. Louis, Missouri". Nycsubway.org. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
12. "St. Louis County Council Approves Economic Development Merger, $400 Million Loan To Metro". STLPR. June 19, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
13. Lindsey (August 16, 2022). "MetroLink Flood Damage Update". metrostlouis.org. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
14. Schrappen, Colleen (August 21, 2022). "MetroLink to resume full service, but cost for flood repairs could double". STLtoday.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
15. Wanek-Libman, Mischa (July 29, 2022). "Metro St. Louis estimates flood damage between $18-$20 million". Mass Transit. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
16. Jerry (September 1, 2022). "MetroLink Changes Starting September 5: Blue Line Service to Operate Between Shrewsbury and Forest Park". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
17. Schlinkmann, Mark (August 1, 2023). "Metro gets nearly $28 million in federal aid to cover repairs after 2022 flood". STLtoday.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
18. "Upcoming Schedule Changes". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
19. "MetroLink Schematic Map" (PDF). Metro St. Louis.
20. "Next Stop: Shrewsbury". The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 20, 2006. p. C2. Retrieved April 15, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
21. Lindecke, Fred W. (August 1, 1993). "Area Riders Throng to Try MetroLink". The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. pp. 1A, 6A . Retrieved April 15, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
22. "Metro Marks Opening of Cortex Station". The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 1, 2018. p. A12. Retrieved April 15, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
23. Goodrich, Robert (April 27, 1994). "E. St. Louis Starring in MetroLink". The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. B1. Retrieved April 15, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
24. Leiser, Ken (April 30, 2001). "MetroLink Extension Opens This Weekend With Parking to Spare". The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. A9. Retrieved April 15, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
25. "Cross County Design Collaboration". Arts in Transit, Inc. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
26. "A Walk in the Park". Arts in Transit, Inc. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
27. "Infrastructure Projects". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
28. "Cross County Tunnel Remediation". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
29. "Richmond Heights Turnout". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
30. "MetroLink | General Maintenance". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
31. "MetroLink Software Enhancements". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
32. "New MetroLink Customer Information System". Metro Transit – Saint Louis. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
33. Schlinkmann, Mark (November 17, 2021). "St. Louis County back in picture for north-south MetroLink expansion". STLtoday.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
34. Schlinkmann, Mark (June 6, 2024). "New St. Louis MetroLink line connecting to North County may not happen". STLtoday.com. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
35. "St. Louis Metro South MetroLink Extension: DEIS" (PDF). East-West Gateway Council of Governments. November 1, 2005. p. 2-19. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
36. "East-West Gateway Board Defers Selection of MetroLink Alternative for Metro South Study Area" (PDF). East-West Gateway. November 3, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 15, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
37. "LPAs for Daniel Boone, Northside and Southside Study Areas" (PDF). East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
38. "MetroLink Planning – Daniel Boone". East-West Gateway. Archived from the original on March 20, 2007. Retrieved June 1, 2007.
39. "St. Louis RR Maps". Railsandtrails.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.

External links

Template:Attached KML/Blue Line (St. Louis MetroLink)

KML is not from Wikidata

• Metro – Official website for Metro Transit
• Bi-State Development – Official website for Bi-State Development
• Citizens for Modern Transit – St. Louis transit advocacy group
• Arts in Transit Website