COMMUTERS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE TRANSIT DURING MLK BRIDGE CLOSURE

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced yesterday that the Martin Luther King Bridge will be closing in both directions through the Fall of 2019 so crews can perform extensive repairs to the bridge’s ramps and roadways. This closure is expected to cause extensive traffic congestion and delays, particularly during the morning commute. To help alleviate traffic concerns, St. Clair County Transit District is teaming up with Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) to encourage public transit usage and to remind residents about the availability of its free Try & Ride Program.

CMT’s comprehensive, award winning Try & Ride Program targets those who are new to the local public transit system. It provides users with customized route information, helpful tips and tricks for taking transit, free fare for the first month and the ability to discover the many benefits associated with this commuting option. To date, the program has helped more than 5,800 individuals familiarize themselves with taking the bus and/or MetroLink to access destinations regionwide.

“The bridge closure is fast approaching, making it the perfect time to give transit a try,” said Richard Meile, St. Clair County Transit District Board Chair. “MetroLink and MetroBus are easy to use and will enable individuals to negate long lines of traffic congestion as they travel to Missouri for work, Cardinals games and other recreational trips.”

For more information on the Martin Luther King Bridge closure, visit http://www.idot.illinois.gov/  For more information on the Try & Ride Program or to register, visit https://scctd.org/programs/.