St. Clair County MetroLink Extension FAQs

Q. What is the St. Clair County Metro system?

A. The St. Clair County Metro is the integrated transportation network created by combining MetroLink and MetroBus in St. Clair County. MetroBus routes feed directly into MetroLink stations, allowing for synchronized transfers between MetroLink and MetroBus.

Phase 1 of the St. Clair County MetroLink Extension features eight stations at the following locations:

• Emerson Park, 929 N. 15th Street, East St. Louis, IL
• Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center, 1003 N. 25th Street, East St. Louis, IL
• Washington Park, 867 N. 54th Street, Washington Park, IL
• Fairview Heights, 9320 Highway 161, Fairview Heights, IL
• Memorial Hospital, 1351 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, IL
• Swansea, 2222 N. Illinois Street, Swansea, IL
• Belleville, 718 Scheel Street, Belleville, IL
• College, 2622 Carlyle Avenue, Belleville, IL

Phase 2 of the St. Clair County MetroLink Extension – the 3.5-mile extension to the Shiloh-Scott station – opened for service on June 23, 2003.

Q. What is MetroLink?

A. MetroLink is the St. Louis metropolitan region‘s light rail transit system. It stretches 38 miles from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to Shiloh and Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois. Each vehicle has a maximum capacity of 72 seated passengers, 106 standing passengers and travels at a maximum speed of 55 mph.

Q. How does MetroLink affect the environment?

A. MetroLink decreases air pollution by providing people with an alternative to driving personal vehicles. Each MetroLink train filled to capacity can remove as many as 356 cars from traffic. MetroLink trains are powered by electricity and emit no fuel vapors.

Q. What was the total cost to build Phase 1 of the St. Clair County MetroLink Extension?

A. $339.2 million. The Federal Transit Administration’s share of the cost was $243,930,961 (71.92%). The local share, $95,238,895 (28.08%), was provided by the St. Clair County Transit District through revenue from the 1/2-cent sales tax approved by voters in St. Clair County in November 1993.

Q. Has ridership on Phase 1 of the St. Clair County MetroLink Extension exceeded expectations?

A. Yes! Ridership at Illinois MetroLink stations during the first year of operations was over 23% higher than was projected.

Q. What was the total cost to build Phase 2 of the St. Clair County MetroLink Extension to Shiloh-Scott?

A. $75 million. The Project was funded by $60 million from the Illinois FIRST (Fund for Infrastructure, Roads, Schools, and Transit) program and $15 million from the 1/2-cent sales tax approved by voters in St. Clair County in November 1993.

Q. I work at Scott Air Force Base. Can I take MetroLink to work?

A. Yes. You can take MetroLink to the Shiloh-Scott station, and a convenient shuttle bus to your final destination at Scott Air Force Base.

Q. When will MetroLink be extended to MidAmerica Airport?

A. Regional leaders are currently working to secure funding to allow the extension of MetroLink to MidAmerica Airport. Construction will begin after funding is received.