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MetroLink Can Help Commuters Avoid Construction Delays on Poplar Street Bridge

MetroLink is a great option for motorists who want to avoid the bumper-to-bumper traffic and extensive delays expected with upcoming work on the Poplar Street Bridge, beginning on Monday, July 15.

Commuters can take advantage of more than 5,600 free parking spaces found at 10 MetroLink stations in Illinois. For commuters who live in Missouri, two good options include the Shrewsbury-Lansdowne I-44 Transit Center (located near Shrewsbury Ave. and I-44) and the Brentwood I-64 Transit Center (located near Brentwood Blvd. and I-64), which offer more than 1,700 free parking spaces and easy access to destinations in both Missouri and Illinois. For information about all of Metro Transit’s free Park-Ride options, visit metrostlouis.org/park-and-ride.

“Eastbound motorists crossing the Poplar Street Bridge may face significant delays due to construction, especially during rush hour. Combine that with the ongoing closure of the Martin Luther King Bridge, and MetroLink is the perfect option to avoid the gridlock.” said Jessica Mefford-Miller, Executive Director of Metro Transit.

To accommodate critical repairs to the bridge surface, the Illinois Department of Transportation will close the eastbound exit ramp from Interstate 55/64 to southbound IL Route 3 beginning on July 15. The ramp is expected to be reopen by Monday, July 29. In addition, two lanes will close on the Poplar Street Bridge, and the Marion Street entrance ramp to Interstate 55 northbound and the right lane of Interstate 55 northbound approaching the bridge will also close.

To plan your rush hour commute on MetroLink:

• Download Transit app to your mobile device
• Visit metrostlouis.org to use the online trip planner, or check schedules and maps
• Contact Metro Transit Information for assistance – available by phone at 314-231-2345 or by text at 314-207-9786, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

About Metro Transit

Metro Transit operates the St. Louis region’s public transportation system which includes 400 clean-burning diesel buses that serve 83 MetroBus routes in eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois. Metro also operates MetroLink light rail vehicles on 46 miles of track serving 38 stations in the two-state area, and operates Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 122 vans. Metro Transit is a Bi-State Development enterprise.