Bi-State Development advances proposed north-south MetroLink expansion

The agency will secure a Program Management Consultant and fund preliminary planning for the Jefferson Alignment MetroLink Expansion project.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

March 27, 2023

2 min read

B-State Development is moving forward with planning the Jefferson Alignment MetroLink Expansion project to deliver a north-south MetroLink connection in St. Louis, Mo.

The Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners approved a resolution and Memorandum of Understanding allowing the agency to pursue the planning and development of a proposed expansion of the MetroLink system that would connect the neighborhoods near the Fairgrounds to Gravois Park/Dutchtown.

The Jefferson Alignment MetroLink Expansion project was previously explored with the city of St. Louis, Mo., as part of the Northside-Southside MetroLink Expansion, which saw the city analyze various transit options along a north-south corridor followed by a more robust Northside-Southside MetroLink Corridor Study.

A map showing the proposed Jefferson Alignment in yellow.

This new agreement, which is valid through Dec. 31, 2024, authorizes Bi-State Development to plan, design and develop the Jefferson Alignment MetroLink Expansion project, starting with the procurement of and contracting with a selected consultant as part of the Program Management Consultant (PMC) phase.

Bi-State Development will oversee the PMC phase that will include supervision and oversight of the project during preliminary planning. The preliminary planning will allow Bi-State Development to apply for the federal government’s New Starts program, which, if approved, could cover up to 60 percent of the project cost, which is estimated at $850 million.

Approximately $7.4 million in funding for Bi-State Development oversight and management services and outside consultant services will be paid through City MetroLink Capital Trust from the Missouri allocated COVID-19 funds.

A Request for Proposals for the program management consultant has been issued with responses due on April 17. The Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners anticipates a vote to approve a consultant in late May 2023.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Group Editorial Director

Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.

Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.