Citizens for Modern Transit’s next virtual “Talking Transit” event, set for Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom, will serve as a forum to discuss route options for the planned North St. Louis County MetroLink line, which will be a major component of the Northside-Southside MetroLink expansion project. Plans for the overall expansion project include a new line in the City of St. Louis that will run along Jefferson Ave., from Chippewa St. to Grand Blvd. and west along Natural Bridge Rd. The St. Louis County part of the MetroLink expansion, known as the North STL County Community Connector, will travel from Natural Bridge into North St. Louis County, and four different route alternatives are currently being studied. Citizens for Modern Transit is using this quarter’s “Talking Transit” forum to discuss these possible route options in detail so area residents can be informed and provide input. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and can be completed online at www.cmt-stl.org.
The discussion will feature Kristen Lueken, Project Manager, and Ben Tomhave, Transportation Planner, for AECOM, the consulting firm studying the various route and transit stop alternatives for this project; Sal Martinez, CEO of Employment Connection of St. Louis; Marcie Meystrik, Director of Transportation Planning at East-West Gateway Council of Governments and Taulby Roach, President & CEO of Bi-State Development. The forum will be moderated by Kimberly Cella, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit.
“A lot of work has been accomplished as it relates to planning of the Northside-Southside MetroLink expansion,” said Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “I look forward to this discussion and continuing to see local leaders come together for the greater good of transit riders and the entire St. Louis region.”
CMT hosts quarterly “Talking Transit” events to keep members, elected officials, stakeholders, transit riders and others in the loop on issues and efforts influencing the local transit system. These educational gatherings feature guest speakers and panel discussions addressing a wide range of topics, including transit-oriented development, safety and security, best practices, service changes and more. To learn more about these events and how CMT is working to further transit access in the St. Louis region, visit www.cmt-stl.org.
Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is the region’s transit advocacy organization. It was established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis and works to develop, support and enhance programming and initiatives to ensure safe, convenient and affordable access to the region’s integrated public transportation system. CMT champions, challenges, encourages and advocates for public transit in an effort to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Harris
(314)436-9090