The city of St. Louis is taking the first official steps toward the ambitious Northside-Southside MetroLink proposal.
Leah Thorsen reports on the early efforts to evaluate a proposed Northside-Southside MetroLink route in St. Louis.
Early into the study, according to Thorsen, "a main focus is learning what has changed since the route last was examined in 2008" while looking for ways to "connect to the $1.75 billion National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency headquarters set to be built just northwest of downtown…"
Thorsen quotes Dan Meyers, a project manager with AECOM, which is leading the consulting team for the study, to explain the initial steps of the study. One early benchmark to look for is a community engagement plan—expected to be implemented as early as April or May.
Thorsen also describes the current, speculative vision for the project: "A 31-mile route from north St. Louis County through the city and into south St. Louis…with a pricetag estimated at $2.2 billion."
Planetizen last checked in with the Northside-Southside project in June 2016, when the long-serving mayor of the city, Francis Slay, expressed strong support for the project.
FULL STORY: MetroLink study to focus on justifying project, showing strong local financial commitment
With Mayoral Support—What's Next for Proposed MetroLink Extension in St. Louis
The long-time mayor of St. Louis has announced his top priority for his final year in office, and it's good news for transit advocates.
Crime, Cheap Gas, Declining Population: A Cocktail for Decreased Transit Ridership
St. Louis transit planners are evaluating the reasons behind a decline in transit use as the Metro Transit system prepares its first light expansion in years.
State Leaders Warn of Risks to Southern California Rail Corridor
Coastal erosion and rising sea levels threaten one of the nation’s most scenic—and strategically important—rail corridors.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
A Troubling Trend of Backlash to Bike Lanes
Some cities are going so far as to rip out protected bike infrastructure that took years of advocacy to build.
USDOT Revokes Approval for NYC Congestion Pricing
Despite the administration’s stated concern for the “working class,” 85 percent of Manhattan commuters use public transit to enter the city.
Parks for All: LA Looks to Residents to Help Shape Park Equity and Access
Los Angeles is launching a citywide park needs assessment to gather resident input on improving its park system, addressing inequities in access, and making the case for increased funding and long-term investments.
Trump Administration Takes Aim at Transportation Research
Researchers warn of a “chilling environment” as studies examining road safety and other topics are killed off and layoffs hit federal agencies.
LA’s Trees Absorb More Carbon Than Expected, But Can’t Do It Alone
A USC study finds that Los Angeles’ urban trees absorb more carbon than expected, but while they provide crucial environmental benefits, they cannot replace the urgent need for systemic emissions reductions.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research