Expanding the St. Louis Regional Transit Footprint

Legislation moving through the Missouri State House of Representatives could add Franklin County, west of St. Louis, to the Bi-State Development Agency.

1 minute read

January 26, 2018, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


St. Louis Transit

Metrolink light rail already makes it as far east as Illinois. | Jon Rehg / Shutterstock

"Missouri lawmakers are considering a plan that could one day bring bus and MetroLink light rail service to Franklin County," reports Kurt Erickson.

The key step in the process under consideration in a committee at the state's House of Representatives is to add Franklin County to the Bi-State Development Agency.

"The county is the only county in the St. Louis metropolitan area that is not part of the organization," according to Erickson. "Three Illinois counties also are covered by the agency."

If Franklin County is added to Bi-State, the next step in the process would be to seek federal approval. Bringing public transit farther west of St. Louis would also require tax-payer funded financing.

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