St. Louis Freight Tunnel

Last updated
St. Louis Freight Tunnel
Eighth and Pine Metrolink Station.jpg
Platform at 8th & Pine
Overview
StatusOperational
Owner Bi-State Development Agency
Locale St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Termini
Stations4
Service
Type Light rail
System MetroLink
Services  Blue    Red  
Operator(s)
Rolling stock
History
Opened1874
Closed1974
Reopened1993
Technical
Line length0.9 mi (1.4 km)
Number of tracks2
CharacterUnderground
Track gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification Overhead line,  750 V DC

The St. Louis Freight Tunnel is a historic railroad tunnel beneath Washington Avenue and Eighth Street in downtown St. Louis. Completed in 1874, it carried freight and passenger trains between the Eads Bridge and the rail yards in the Mill Creek Valley, bypassing busy downtown streets. It fell into disuse after 1974 and sat dormant for nearly two decades before being refurbished by 1993 for use by MetroLink, the light rail system in Greater St. Louis.

Contents

History

An 1880 map of the tunnel route between the Eads Bridge and Mill Creek rail yards in downtown St. Louis Downtown STL Subway Map.jpg
An 1880 map of the tunnel route between the Eads Bridge and Mill Creek rail yards in downtown 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 the Eads Bridge, James B. Eads, worked out the specifications for the tunnel. [1] It would be a cut-and-cover tunnel 4,880 feet (1,490 m) long and 30 feet (9.1 m) below street level. A smokestack with a fan that pulled exhaust from the tunnel was built near St. Charles Street (it has since been demolished). [2] 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 was completed by June 24, 1874, and the bridge would open less than a month later on July 4. [3]

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. [3] At the time, many railroads did not have licenses to operate in Missouri and by 1875, the company defaulted on its debts and a federal court appointed J.P. Morgan and Solon Humphreys as receivers. Also 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. [3] In 1878, the newly formed St. Louis Bridge Company purchased the bridge and tunnel out of bankruptcy for $2 million, about a third of its original cost, then transferred it in 1880 to interests controlled by Jay Gould. [4] In 1889, Gould would be instrumental in the creation of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA). [5] He died in 1892, but his involvement in the TRRA led to the construction of Union Station in 1894.

In 1974, due to the increasing dimensions of railroad cars, the tunnel saw its last train; an Amtrak passenger train. Passenger and freight rail traffic then switched to the Merchants and MacArthur bridges. [5]

Convention Center station construction along the Washington Avenue alignment of the tunnel Convention Center Construction.jpg
Convention Center station construction along the Washington Avenue alignment of the tunnel

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. [6] [7] :203 In 1989, after it was determined the downtown portion would use the Eads Bridge and existing tunnel for light rail, the city of St. Louis swapped the MacArthur Bridge for the Eads Bridge with the Terminal Railroad Association. [5] In 1991, rehabilitation began on the subway tunnel for MetroLink usage 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. [8]

Architecture

A closeup of the brick barrel vaults at the 8th & Pine station St. Louis Subway Tunnel (3597425265).jpg
A closeup of the brick barrel vaults at the 8th & Pine station

The tunnel is notable for its brick and stone construction. It's foundations are made up primarily of Aux Vases sandstone while the upper portion of the tunnel is constructed of brick barrel vaults. [8] In the subway stations that were cut into the tunnel, the ends of the platforms are met with brick archways that complement the arch motif used throughout the MetroLink system. [9]

Station listing

StationLocationTypePoints of interest
Laclede's Landing 200 Washington AvenueElevated Wheelchair symbol.svg Gateway Arch National Park, Laclede's Landing, Horseshoe St. Louis
Convention Center 600 North 6th StreetUnderground Wheelchair symbol.svg America's Center, The Dome at America's Center, Washington Avenue Loft District, 600 Washington, MX District, National Blues Museum, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8th & Pine 323 North 8th StreetUnderground Wheelchair symbol.svg Old Post Office Plaza, United States Customhouse and Post Office, Citygarden, Kiener Plaza, Gateway Mall
Stadium 400 South 8th StreetBelow-grade Wheelchair symbol.svg Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village, Cupples Station, Thomas F. Eagleton Federal Courthouse

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Staten Island Railway</span> Rapid transit line in New York City

The Staten Island Railway (SIR) is a rapid transit line in the New York City borough of Staten Island. It is owned by the Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority (SIRTOA), a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and operated by the New York City Transit Authority Department of Subways. SIR operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing local service between St. George and Tottenville, along the east side of the island. There is currently only one line on the island, and there is no direct rail link between the SIR and the New York City Subway system, but SIR riders do receive a free transfer to New York City Transit bus and subway lines, and the line is included on official New York City Subway maps. Commuters on the railway typically use the Staten Island Ferry to reach Manhattan. The line is accessible from within the Ferry Terminal, and most of its trains are timed to connect with the ferry. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 6,151,400, or about 19,500 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eads Bridge</span> Bridge spanning the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri

The Eads Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge over the Mississippi River connecting the cities of St. Louis, Missouri, and East St. Louis, Illinois. It is located on the St. Louis riverfront between Laclede's Landing to the north, and the grounds of the Gateway Arch to the south. The bridge is named for its designer and builder, James Buchanan Eads. Work on the bridge began in 1867, and it was completed in 1874. The Eads Bridge was the first bridge across the Mississippi south of the Missouri River. Earlier bridges were located north of the Missouri, where the Mississippi is smaller. None of the earlier bridges survive, which means that the Eads Bridge is also the oldest bridge on the river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MetroLink (St. Louis)</span> Light rail system in Missouri, US

MetroLink is a light rail system that serves 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rochester subway</span> Former light rail rapid transit line in the city of Rochester, New York

The Rochester Industrial and Rapid Transit Railway, more commonly known as the Rochester subway, was a light rail rapid transit line in the city of Rochester, New York that operated from 1927 to 1956. The subway was constructed in the bed of the old Erie Canal, which allowed the route to be grade-separated for its entire length. Two miles (3.2 km) of the route through downtown were constructed in a cut-and-cover tunnel that became Broad Street, and the only underground portion of the subway. The Rochester Subway was designed to reduce interurban traffic on city streets, and to facilitate freight interchange between the railroads. The line was operated on a contract basis by New York State Railways until Rochester Transit Corporation (RTC) took over in 1938. The last day of passenger service was June 30, 1956. Portions of the right-of-way were used for expressway construction, while the rest was abandoned and filled in over the years. The largest remaining section is a stretch of tunnel under Broad Street from Exchange Street to the intersection of Court Street and South Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MacArthur Bridge (St. Louis)</span> Bridge in Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois

The MacArthur Bridge is a truss bridge that connects St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois over the Mississippi River. The bridge was initially called the "St. Louis Municipal Bridge" and known popularly as the "Free Bridge" due to the original lack of tolls. Tolls were added for auto traffic beginning in 1932. In 1942, the bridge was renamed for Douglas MacArthur. The bridge was constructed to break the monopoly of the Terminal Railroad Association, which controlled two other bridges at St. Louis and charged what were viewed as unreasonable tolls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois Terminal Railroad</span> Heavy duty interurban electric railroad in Illinois, US

The Illinois Terminal Railroad Company, known as the Illinois Traction System until 1937, was a heavy duty interurban electric railroad with extensive passenger and freight business in central and southern Illinois from 1896 to 1956. When Depression era Illinois Traction was in financial distress and had to reorganize, the Illinois Terminal name was adopted to reflect the line's primary money making role as a freight interchange link to major steam railroads at its terminal ends, Peoria, Danville, and St. Louis. Interurban passenger service slowly was reduced, ending in 1956. Freight operation continued but was hobbled by tight street running in some towns requiring very sharp radius turns. In 1956, ITC was absorbed by a consortium of connecting railroads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Louis Union Station</span> Former railroad station in St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis Union Station is a National Historic Landmark and former train station in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. At its 1894 opening, the station was the largest in the world that had tracks and passenger service areas all on one level. Traffic peaked at 100,000 people a day in the 1940s. The last Amtrak passenger train left the station in 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panhandle Bridge</span> Bridge over the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.

The Panhandle Bridge carries the three lines of the Port Authority Light Rail Network across the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The name comes from Pennsylvania Railroad subsidiary Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, also known as the Panhandle Route, which operated over the bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stadium station (MetroLink)</span> Station in St. Louis MetroLink light rail system, Missouri, USA

Stadium station is a light rail station on the Blue and Red lines of the St. Louis MetroLink system. This below-grade station is located alongside 8th Street between Spruce Street and Clark Avenue. It is located near Busch Stadium, after which the station is named.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th & Pine station</span> Station in St. Louis MetroLink light rail system, Missouri, USA

8th & Pine station is a light rail station on the Blue and Red lines of the St. Louis MetroLink system. This subway station is located beneath the intersection of 8th and Pine streets in St. Louis' Central Business District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Convention Center station (MetroLink)</span> Station in St. Louis MetroLink light rail system, Missouri, USA

Convention Center station is a light rail station on the Red and Blue lines of the St. Louis MetroLink system. This subway station is located beneath the intersection of 6th Street and Washington Avenue in St. Louis' Central Business District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laclede's Landing station</span> Station in St. Louis MetroLink light rail system, Missouri, USA

Laclede's Landing station is a light rail station on the Red and Blue lines of the St. Louis MetroLink system. This elevated station is located in downtown St. Louis near Laclede's Landing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis</span> Switching and terminal railroad

The Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis is a Class III switching and terminal railroad that handles traffic in the St. Louis metropolitan area. It is co-owned by five of the six Class I railroads that reach the city: BNSF, Canadian National, CSX, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific. The railroad also serves Amtrak and Canadian Pacific Kansas City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation in St. Louis</span>

Transportation in Greater St. Louis, Missouri includes road, rail, ship, and air transportation modes connecting the bi-state St. Louis metropolitan area with surrounding communities throughout the Midwest, national transportation networks, and international locations. The Greater St. Louis region also supports a multi-modal transportation network that includes bus, paratransit, and light rail service in addition to shared-use paths, bike lanes and greenways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Line (St. Louis MetroLink)</span>

The Red Line is the older and longer line of the MetroLink light rail system in Greater St. Louis. It serves 29 stations across three counties and two states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Line (St. Louis MetroLink)</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Staten Island Tunnel</span> Incomplete rail tunnel in New York City

The Staten Island Tunnel is an abandoned, incomplete railway and subway tunnel in New York City. It was intended to connect railways on Staten Island to the BMT Fourth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway, in Brooklyn, via a new crossing under the Narrows. Planned to extend 10,400 feet (3,200 m), the tunnel would have been among the world's longest at the time of its planning, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The history of St. Louis, Missouri, from 1866 to 1904 was marked by rapid growth. Its population increased, making it the country's fourth-largest city after New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago. It also saw rapid development of heavy industry, infrastructure, and transportation. The period culminated with the city's hosting of the 1904 World's Fair and 1904 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest Park Parkway (St. Louis)</span>

Forest Park Parkway is a parkway in Clayton, Missouri and St. Louis that runs from Interstate 170, becomes Forest Park Avenue at Kingshighway Boulevard, and ends at Market Street and Interstate 64. It is considered an arterial snow route. Its right-of-way has carried various railroad lines throughout much of its history.

The history of the Los Angeles Metro Rail and Busway system begins in the early 1970s, when the traffic-choked region began planning a rapid transit system. The first dedicated busway opened along I-10 in 1973, and the region's first light rail line, the Blue Line opened in 1990. Today the system includes over 160 miles (260 km) of heavy rail, light rail, and bus rapid transit lines, with multiple new lines under construction as of 2019.

References

  1. Jackson, Robert W., Rails Across the Mississippi: A History of the St. Louis Bridge, University of Illinois Press, Urbana, 2001, p 137, ISBN   0-252-02680-2
  2. Naffziger, Chris (2016-08-03). "A Cache of Archived Drawings Reveal the Secrets of the Eads Bridge". www.stlmag.com. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  3. 1 2 3 Primm, James, Neal (2010). Lion of the Valley, St. Louis, Missouri 1764–1980 (3rd ed.). United States: Missouri Historical Society Press. pp. 289–292. ISBN   978-1-883982-25-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. "Part I: Transportation". stlouis-mo.gov. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  5. 1 2 3 "TRRA History – Eads/MacArthur Swap". www.terminalrailroad.com. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  6. St.Louis Metro Link Project, St.Louis and East St.Louis (MO,IL): Environmental Impact Statement. 1987.
  7. Campion, Douglas R.; Wischmeyer, Oliver W. Jr. (1988). Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Technology Sharing in Bringing LRT to St. Louis (PDF) (Report) (221 ed.). Transportation Research Board . Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  8. 1 2 "St. Louis Freight Tunnel". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  9. "Bridge Piers – Arch Motif". Arts in Transit, Inc. Retrieved 2022-11-08.