Remember President Obama's 2009 economic stimulus program? Add another completed project to the program's successes: the restoration of the multi-modal 1874 iconic Eads Bridge connecting St. Louis and East St. Louis, Ill. over the Mississippi River.
A celebration of the completion of the four-year, $48 million rehabilitation of the 142-year-old Eads Bridge, seen below with a St. Louis Metrolink light rail train running on the lower deck, occurred on October 7.
"The Eads Bridge, named for designer and builder James Eads, was the world's longest when built, the first using all steel for its arched spans, the first to exclusively cantilever supports, according to a Greatriverroad.com visitor's guide," reports AASHTO Journal.
Federal funds covered 91 percent of the project cost, said [Bi-State Development, which co-owns the bridge with the city of St. Louis], including $27 million coming from American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds and $4.8 million from a federal grant to St. Louis. Local funds covered the non-federal portion.
"Eads Bridge is the world's first steel-truss bridge, and an engineering marvel," according to the St. Louis Cultural Resources Office. It was dedicated as as the city's first National Historic Landmark in 1964.
The October 7 celebration was also covered by the St. Louis Pubic Radio.
In addition to motor vehicles and 300 light rail trains daily, pedestrians and cyclists also cross on the top deck.
Also on Planetizen:
"With Mayoral Support—What's Next for Proposed MetroLink Extension in St. Louis," June 16, 2016.
FULL STORY: St. Louis Bridge Gets Major Rehab, Facelift After 142 Years Aided by Stimulus Funds
$102 Million Brings Chicago-St. Louis High Speed Rail a Step Closer
A $102 million investment by Illinois along with federal funds from the Recovery Act will pay for double-tracking and a new rail bridge to enable 109 mph service on a key section of Amtrak's Chicago to St. Louis high speed rail corridor.
Faster Chicago to St. Louis Trains Likely to Increase Car Traffic
Next year, trains traveling at up to 110 mph will speed through grade crossings faster than the current trains traveling at up to 79 m.p.h, and motorists need to prepare for crossing gates that will stay down up to three times longer.
St. Louis Train Expansion Planning Receives Federal Funding
The Bi-State Development Agency received roughly $7.4 million for efforts to expand the city’s MetroLink train system.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.
This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)