Blue Line (St. Louis MetroLink)
Encyclopedia
The Blue Line of the St. Louis MetroLink
is a light rail
service operating between 24 stations
in Greater St. Louis. It is the newest line in the system.
. It crosses over Interstate 44
and the continues north to the next two stations located in Maplewood; one at the Sunnen Industrial Complex, the other over at Manchester Road. The line then continues further north to the Brentwood I-64 station located in Brentwood just south of Interstate 64
. It then proceeds in a tunnel just underneath Interstate 64
, continuing to the Richmond Heights station in Richmond Heights. This station serves the popular St. Louis Galleria
shopping center. The line then proceeds on a sharp turn east to Clayton Central station in the median of Forest Park Parkway in Clayton where it serves the Central Business District of St. Louis County. It heads further east into a tunnel opening where there is a station underneath Forsyth Boulevard and Big Bend Boulevard in University City where it serves Washington University . After crossing the St. Louis City/County boundary, the branch makes its last stop right under Skinker Boulevard in St. Louis City. The Blue Line now joins with the Red Line
at Forest Park-DeBaliviere station as the Shared Alignment. The Blue Line terminates at Fairview Heights station in Fairview Heights.
- Clayton/Shrewsbury to Maryland Heights/Westport: According to the East-West Gateway Council of Government, it has been identified as the next priority. The Daniel Boone Corridor will extend from the Shrewsbury I-44 Branch (Blue Line) to West St. Louis County, initially terminating near Westport Plaza
in Maryland Heights. The 8–10 mi (12.9–16.1 km) extension will add up to six stations between Clayton and Maryland Heights in the I-170-Page Corridor serving Ladue, Olivette, and Overland. A recent study shows the alignment might branch off northwest to St. Charles County.
- Clayton to Florissant: This 12 miles (19.3 km) extension will cut off from the Daniel Boone Corridor just north of Clayton in Olivette and Overland to continue north along I-170 to Florissant, Ferguson, Hazelwood, and Berkeley in North County. Most of the line will use the old Rock Island Railroad right-of-way right along side I-170. It will continue 3 miles out of the I-170/I-270 interchange in Hazelwood.
- Shrewsbury I-64 to Butler Hill I-55: This 12 miles (19.3 km) extension will begin from the Shrewsbury-Landsdowne/I-44 station following Watson Road in Shrewsbury. The corridor follows a use right-of-way further south to Mehlville, Oakville, Affton, and Butler Hill in South County. The alignment will serve along with the Grant Bike Trail. This exension was deferred in 2005 due to lack of funding.
- Westport to Chesterfield: This 12 miles (19.3 km) mile extension might become a Phase II after the Daniel Boone Corridor. The alignment crosses west over the Interstate-270/255 Ring in Maryland Heights. It will run along with the Page Ave Extension in North County until it crosses off near Creve Coeur County Park. It then will head westward to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport
in the Chesterfield Valley. This alignment has not been given serious consideration because of its perceived low ridership potential.
St. Louis Metrolink
MetroLink is the light rail transit system in the Greater St. Louis area of Missouri and the Metro East area of Illinois. The entire system currently consists of two lines connecting Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and Shrewsbury, MO with Scott Air Force Base near Shiloh, Illinois through...
is a light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
service operating between 24 stations
Metro station
A metro station or subway station is a railway station for a rapid transit system, often known by names such as "metro", "underground" and "subway". It is often underground or elevated. At crossings of metro lines, they are multi-level....
in Greater St. Louis. It is the newest line in the system.
Route description
The Blue Line branch starts in Shrewsbury just west of River des PeresRiver des Peres
The River des Peres is a metropolitan river in St. Louis, Missouri. It is the backbone of sanitary and stormwater systems in the city of St. Louis and portions of St. Louis County...
. It crosses over Interstate 44
Interstate 44
Interstate 44 is a major highway in the central United States. Its western terminus is in Wichita Falls, Texas at a concurrency with US 277, US 281 and US 287; its eastern terminus is at the Illinois state line on the Poplar Street Bridge over the Mississippi River in St...
and the continues north to the next two stations located in Maplewood; one at the Sunnen Industrial Complex, the other over at Manchester Road. The line then continues further north to the Brentwood I-64 station located in Brentwood just south of Interstate 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
. It then proceeds in a tunnel just underneath Interstate 64
Interstate 64
Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
, continuing to the Richmond Heights station in Richmond Heights. This station serves the popular St. Louis Galleria
St. Louis Galleria
The Saint Louis Galleria is a shopping mall in the St. Louis suburb of Richmond Heights. The mall is owned and operated by General Growth Properties...
shopping center. The line then proceeds on a sharp turn east to Clayton Central station in the median of Forest Park Parkway in Clayton where it serves the Central Business District of St. Louis County. It heads further east into a tunnel opening where there is a station underneath Forsyth Boulevard and Big Bend Boulevard in University City where it serves Washington University . After crossing the St. Louis City/County boundary, the branch makes its last stop right under Skinker Boulevard in St. Louis City. The Blue Line now joins with the Red Line
Red Line (St. Louis MetroLink)
The Red Line of the St. Louis MetroLink is a light rail service operating between 28 stations in Greater St. Louis. It is the oldest and longest line in the system.-Route description:...
at Forest Park-DeBaliviere station as the Shared Alignment. The Blue Line terminates at Fairview Heights station in Fairview Heights.
Future extensions
The Blue Line is part of the Cross County Corridor. These following extensions will include up to 46 miles (74 km) of track, but for in order to plan, design, and construct these separate extensions, they will need anticipated local and federal funding.Daniel Boone Corridor
Daniel Boone CorridorDaniel Boone Corridor
The DanielBoone Corridor is a proposed light rail route for the St. Louis MetroLink light rail system in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.-Proposed route:...
- Clayton/Shrewsbury to Maryland Heights/Westport: According to the East-West Gateway Council of Government, it has been identified as the next priority. The Daniel Boone Corridor will extend from the Shrewsbury I-44 Branch (Blue Line) to West St. Louis County, initially terminating near Westport Plaza
Westport Plaza
Westport Plaza is a , commercial development, resort, and entertainment center located in Maryland Heights. Westport opened in 1973 and since has grown to over of offices buildings, restaurants and entertainment venues, and hotels. The property is owned jointly by Chicago-based real estate company...
in Maryland Heights. The 8–10 mi (12.9–16.1 km) extension will add up to six stations between Clayton and Maryland Heights in the I-170-Page Corridor serving Ladue, Olivette, and Overland. A recent study shows the alignment might branch off northwest to St. Charles County.
MetroNorth Corridor
MetroNorth CorridorMetroNorth Corridor
The MetroNorth Corridor is a proposed light rail alignment for the St. Louis MetroLink light rail system in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.-Proposed route:...
- Clayton to Florissant: This 12 miles (19.3 km) extension will cut off from the Daniel Boone Corridor just north of Clayton in Olivette and Overland to continue north along I-170 to Florissant, Ferguson, Hazelwood, and Berkeley in North County. Most of the line will use the old Rock Island Railroad right-of-way right along side I-170. It will continue 3 miles out of the I-170/I-270 interchange in Hazelwood.
MetroSouth Corridor
MetroSouth CorridorMetroSouth Corridor
The MetroSouth Corridor is a proposed light rail alignment for the St. Louis MetroLink light rail system in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The proposed alignment would extend the Blue Line southwards from its current terminus at Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 to as far as Butler Hill Rd.-History:Planning for...
- Shrewsbury I-64 to Butler Hill I-55: This 12 miles (19.3 km) extension will begin from the Shrewsbury-Landsdowne/I-44 station following Watson Road in Shrewsbury. The corridor follows a use right-of-way further south to Mehlville, Oakville, Affton, and Butler Hill in South County. The alignment will serve along with the Grant Bike Trail. This exension was deferred in 2005 due to lack of funding.
MetroWest Corridor
MetroWest CorridorMetroWest Corridor
The MetroWest Corridor is a proposed light rail alignment for the St. Louis MetroLink light rail system in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.-Proposed route:...
- Westport to Chesterfield: This 12 miles (19.3 km) mile extension might become a Phase II after the Daniel Boone Corridor. The alignment crosses west over the Interstate-270/255 Ring in Maryland Heights. It will run along with the Page Ave Extension in North County until it crosses off near Creve Coeur County Park. It then will head westward to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport
Spirit of St. Louis Airport
Spirit of St. Louis Airport is a public airport located 17 miles west of the central business district of St. Louis, in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. It is owned by St. Louis County.- Facilities and aircraft :Spirit of St...
in the Chesterfield Valley. This alignment has not been given serious consideration because of its perceived low ridership potential.