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The Source for Public Transportation News and Analysis September 7, 2012
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St. Louis Metro Marks Opening of Bridge, Public Transit Plaza

St. Louis Metro marked the opening of the Grand Bridge, replacing the former Grand Avenue Viaduct, and of the Metro Scott Avenue Transit Plaza at ceremonies Aug. 25. Both projects received federal funding to cover 80 percent of their costs—$22 million for the bridge, $7 million for the public transit plaza—with a local match covering the balance.

“Metro’s buses travel over more than 500 square miles and the bridge on Grand is one of our most heavily traveled. The Grand MetroBus route is the busiest route on our entire system. with customers taking about three million trips a year on Grand Boulevard,” said John M. Nations, Metro president and chief executive officer. “Together, the city of St. Louis and Metro Transit have made a significant contribution to the city’s infrastructure by improvements to both the bridge and the transit plaza on Scott Avenue below.”

The new bridge is 16 feet wider than its predecessor and features two lanes in each direction, separated by a raised center median; wider multi-use shoulders; and 13-foot-wide sidewalks in each direction. It also features 150-foot-long, 10-foot-wide turnouts for Metro buses to board passengers above the new Scott Avenue Transit Plaza and Grand MetroLink Station.

The MetroBus areas on the bridge feature new seating in large wind and rain bus shelters, improved lighting, and new elevators and stairs connecting the bridge to the Grand MetroLink Station, the new plaza, and a new 58-space free park-and-ride lot. The plaza also features a sculpture by Barbara Grygutis.

“Today we celebrate the reconnection of north and south Grand,” said St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay. “This was a major infrastructure project designed to better connect our city’s north and south sides for drivers, pedestrians, and those who use public transportation. This bridge has the capacity for increased traffic and will be more comfortable and attractive for all its users.”

 

Speakers at dedication ceremonies for St. Louis’ new Grand Bridge and Metro Scott Avenue Transit Plaza include, from left, Dr. Albert Walker, president, Harris-Stowe State University; Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr., president and chief executive officer, Grand Center; St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay; John M. Nations, Metro president and chief executive officer; Lawrence Biondi, S.J., president, Saint Louis University; and Ward 19 Alderwoman Marlene Davis. The ceremony took place on the bridge roadway on the south end of the bridge near Chouteau Avenue; bus bays are located in the middle of the bridge.

 

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