November 4, 2011 | 10 Comments

As Rail Improvement Project Begins, Section of UMSL South Park-Ride Lot Will Close Until 2013

Metro will officially begin a new light rail improvement project on Monday, November 7, at the UMSL South MetroLink Station. What does that mean for MetroLink riders? The south section of the Park-Ride lot at the UMSL South MetroLink Station will be closed for the duration of the construction project, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2013. Because fewer parking spaces will be available on the lot, MetroLink customers are encouraged to consider parking at the North Hanley or Rock Road MetroLink Stations.

MetroLink passengers can expect occasional delays and MetroBus shuttles during the construction period. We will let customers know in advance of those operational changes.

The cost of this part of the project is $1.2 million and is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The general contractor is R.V. Wagner, Inc.

Tags: , ,

Author:Courtney

View all posts by Courtney →
  • ScottF

    Can you tell us what the Rail Improvement Project entails?

  • Julie

    I need to know more about the delays at UMSL South and UMSL North. I go to those stations from Rock Road station. How will this project screw up the order of things?

    You guys should do this only during the summer when the inconvenience is not as intrusive.

  • mike

    Ditto to ScottF’s question.

  • mike

    Courtney,

    I hit the post comment button inadvertently.

    To finish my previous comment, I would like to know about the project, probably as well as others who use that stretch of the Red Line, because my fiancee attends UMSL, and I would like to know in detail to what extent the the construction would affect her ability to park at that location, or at least find out where more information can be obtained about what areas of the parking lot will be affected.

    Thanking you in advance for looking into this matter.

  • Suzanne Whitehead

    A new interlocking is being built. This new interlocking will allow for much shorter (timely) single tracking when maintenance is needed in this area of the alignment. In the current configuration, there is a 4.2 mile stretch without an interlocking which is the longest in the system and does cause delays to multiple stations. This improvement to the infrastructure will certainly improve the service to riders.

  • mike

    Suzanne,

    Thanks for the 411 providing the nature and reason for the rail project. To f/u on my previous post, do you have any info regarding parking on the campus, or where I may be able to obtain that info? I wish Metro could have been a little more pro-active in announcing the project before it began, since it may have a significant impact on campus parking.

    • http://www.nextstopstl.org/ Courtney

      Mike, here is the website for UMSL’s transportation department. I think they could best answer any questions about UMSL parking lots, including those that are adjacent to MetroLink stations: http://www.umsl.edu/~transportation/

  • mike

    Thanks Courtney

  • Dee

    Maybe this will cut down on vandalism at this station. My car, and I’ve seen numerous cars that have been vandalized. Why do they not have security on the platforms at UMSL South? That would at least be a deterrent to those who may be thinking about breaking into cars.

    • http://www.nextstopstl.org/ Courtney

      Dee, I am under the impression that per our agreement with UMSL, those platforms are under the jurisdiction of UMSL security, but I could be wrong and will check on that for you. Thanks for letting us know!