SCCTD Honored with OLGA Award for MetroLink Expansion to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport

During the East-West Gateway Council of Governments’ 2026 Annual Meeting and OLGA Awards, the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) was honored with an Outstanding Local Government Achievement (OLGA) award for the MetroLink Expansion to Mid-America St. Louis Airport.

East-West Gateway Council of Governments’ OLGA awards recognize the extraordinary work of municipal, county, special purpose, and school district officials in the St. Louis region. The OLGAs also celebrate the individuals who provide the highest level of leadership; projects and partnerships that result in positive change; and jurisdictions that provide a high level of excellence, expertise, and service in local government. Honorees are nominated by their peers and selected by a panel of judges in the planning field.

On November 13, SCCTD was honored with an OLGA in the category of “Exemplary Collaboration, Partnership, or Regional Initiative,” for spearheading the $192 million, 5.2-mile extension of the MetroLink system from the Shiloh-Scott Transit Center to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. The first extension of the MetroLink system in 20 years, the new portion is set to provide valuable transit options to local residents, businesses, and military personnel stationed at nearby Scott Air Force Base.

Along with the MetroLink extension, the project also incorporated $32 million in roadway improvements to improve access to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport and Scott Air Force Base. An additional $6 million was put towards a 4.5-mile extension of the SCCTD MetroBikeLink, a multi-modal pathway running along the MetroLink alignment, that is set to be connected to the airport in 2027.

The project was completed without federal dollars or by raising local taxes, using only state and local funds. The effort brought together local governments, transportation agencies, contractors, law enforcement, airport leadership, and other partners, and was celebrated by East-West Gateway Council of Governments as a dynamic example of better connecting the region through improved mobility options.

To learn more about the MetroLink Expansion, visit the project webpage.