MetroLink to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport on Track

Construction on the MidAmerica St. Louis Airport MetroLink Extension Project in St. Clair County continues with construction visible along the alignment. The project will extend the MetroLink light rail system 5.2 miles from the existing Shiloh-Scott Transit Center in Shiloh to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah.

As part of the project, a new MetroLink Station will be constructed directly across from the passenger terminal and parking lot on Airport Boulevard. Plans also include a new 2.4-mile access roadway that extends from Rieder Road to Airport Boulevard, a 0.3-mile extension of Rieder Road from Wherry Road to Scott Air Force Base’s Cardinal Creek Gate, and a 5-mile expansion of the MetroBikeLink System, which is a network of paved trails and bike paths that runs adjacent to the MetroLink in St. Clair County.

“This project is designed to further promote the economic vitality of St. Clair County,” commented Ken Sharkey, managing director of St. Clair County Transit District. “In addition to seamlessly connecting Scott Air Force Base and MidAmerica St. Louis Airport – which are partnering entities collectively serving as one of the bi-state area’s largest economic engines – the project will include a newly constructed frontage road, better access to SAFB Cardinal Creek Gate, an extension of our ever-evolving trail system and more options for airport passengers.”

The MidAmerica St. Louis Airport MetroLink Extension Project is being funded, in large part, by a $98 million “Rebuild Illinois” Grant received from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Project partners include St. Clair County, St. Clair County Transit District, Metro Transit, Illinois Department of Transportation, Southwestern Illinois Building Trades Council , WSP, Gonzalez Companies, Plocher Construction, Killian Construction and Keeley Construction and L.K. Comstock.

Double-track construction activity continues with completion of this portion of the project estimated for August 2024. Single-track construction is also underway with the final two box culverts being constructed as weather permits, retaining walls at Rieder Road nearing completion, and construction of the bridge for the Rieder Road extension continues. Bridge construction at Silver Creek has been impacted by flooding and is ongoing. The systems contract is let and the contractor should be underway by early summer.

The project is on track to be completed in the Spring of 2026.