The Loop, one of the destinations along the proposed route.

Loop Trolley receives $25 million in federal funding

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced nearly $25 million in federal funding for the St. Louis Loop Trolley Project on July 8. More than $400 million was awarded nationally through the federal Urban Circulator Program which is part of Obama administration's "Livability Initiative". The City of St. Louis is the sponsor on the project.

The Loop Trolley is a $44 million project to install a fixed-track trolley that would travel from The Loop to the History Museum in Forest Park. This 2.2 mile line would include nine stops and link to two MetroLink stations along the way. Stops along the route include the Missouri History Museum, Forest Park MetroLink station; Crossroads College Preparatory School; Laurel and Delmar; the Delmar MetroLink Station; the Pageant; the Tivoli; the Market and the terminus at Trinity Ave.

The Loop Trolley Company recently completed an engineering study that brought the project engineering to 30 percent completion. Estimated costs to build the entire line come in at approximately $44 million. A completed grant application must be submitted through a regional Federal Transit Administration office before the $24.99 million in funding can be officially awarded.

"The FTA has given the region a great opportunity to build the project. But the City of St. Louis, the Loop Trolley Company and other supporters -- myself included -- will have to work hard to raise the local match and find creative ways to keep the cost of the project down," said Thomas Shrout, executive director of CMT.

Roundabout possible answer for West End Terminus questions for trolley project

After several meetings with the neighborhoods that adjoin the West Terminus of the Loop Trolley project at Trinity Ave., the project team is proposing that the best solution to meet all the needs of the surrounding area while maintaining efficiency and cost-effectiveness and cost would be a 'roundabout'. Several key factors emerged during the neighborhood meetings: the desire to minimize the impact on the existing neighborhoods and architecturally or historically significant properties, and the need to improve safety for all modes in that area including cars, trolleys and people. Neighbors also desired to minimize any parking impacts, and ridership opportunities had to be maximized.

To address these concerns, the project team considered several options. First, they considered installing full traffic signals at Trinity. However, they found that new signals would have poor sight lines for eastbound traffic through the Lions' Gates, which could jeopardize safety. There were also concerns that signals would not be consistent with the visual character of that area. The project team then analyzed the potential for a roundabout. After much analysis and discussion with stakeholders, the team concluded that this approach would best address the neighbors' concerns about preserving the quality of their neighborhoods, meet safety objectives and allow the trolley to operate effectively in The Loop. When designed correctly, a roundabout is a traffic calming tool that enhances safety while keeping traffic moving smoothly. It does this by reducing the number of conflict points for cars, trolleys and pedestrians. It also provides an opportunity to aesthetically tie the project into the current Loop architecture and streetscape.

A final report for The Loop Trolley Study will be completed in January 2010.

East-West Gateway selects trolley design for Loop study area

In late July, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments’ (EWGCOG) Board of Directors approved The Loop Trolley Advisory Committee’s recommended trolley route, vehicle and other details. The selected approach is the outcome of technical findings and feedback from approximately 200 people who attended a public informational open house held earlier in the month.

Where will the trolley operate?

The trolley will circle the Missouri History Museum in Forest and head north up DeBaliviere. On DeBaliviere it will run in both directions in a single lane designated to trolleys only. Vehicular traffic will operate west of the trolley lane and a greenway (to be constructed by others) is proposed on the east. At Delmar the trolley will turn west and continue to operate in its own single designated lane, but now it will move to the center of the street, operating in the median, until it reaches MetroLink's Delmar Station. Just before the Delmar bridge over the MetroLink the tracks fork and the trolley will enter vehicular traffic and operate similar to a bus in two lanes through The Loop.

At the western terminus on Delmar, two options are being considered on how the trolley should stop and turn around: a “loop” or a “stub”. The trolley can turn left on Trinity Ave., then loop around the plaza on the south side of Delmar near COCA and the Washington University Music Building. (Traffic signals would be adjusted to make this safe and timely.) Or the trolley can ‘stub’ – or stop -- on Kingsland south of Delmar, without a loop. The East-West Gateway Board recommended that both options be carried forward for more detailed engineering and analysis. This will further identify the advantages and disadvantages of each so a more informed decision on which option to be used can be made.

Where will the trolley stop?

The Board approved nine station stops that will directly serve key attractions or be within reasonable walking distance to destinations. Locations include: The Missouri History Museum, Forest Park Metro, Crossroads College Preparatory School, Laurel and Delmar, Delmar MetroLink Station, the Pageant, the Tivoli, the Market and Trinity or Kingsland.

What kind of trolley?

The Loop Trolley Company will operate seven historic-looking “replica” vehicles using hybrid battery/overhead electric technology. The consultant team recommended using this approach instead of the Peter Witt heritage vehicles for several reasons. Unlike the older vehicles, the newer replica vehicles are accessible by people with disabilities – which is required by law. They provide greater flexibility in locating stations because there are doors on both sides of the cars. The combination of electric and battery power provides the vehicles enough power to operate cleanly and efficiently, but minimizes the use of overhead electric wires in visually sensitive areas like Forest Park.

What will it cost to build and operate? When will it operate?

The hours of trolley operation, fares and other operational issues have not yet been decided. The consultant team will make recommendations on these issues, along with an evaluation of potential funding sources for operations and construction, later this fall.

How many will ride?

Approximately one million rides are expected in the trolley’s first year of operation, similar to current streetcar ridership in Memphis.

What’s next?

EWGCOG’s action allows the project to move into more detailed engineering, which will include more cost detail and propose recommendations for funding the trolley. As part of that effort, consultants are also working closely with the proposed greenway project on DeBaliviere, which will run adjacent to the proposed trolley line and link to the walking/biking path south through Forest Park or north to the St. Vincent greenway.

To view a copy of the formal presentation from the July 8 Open House, click here.

Loop Trolley Engineering Study on Track

The clang, clang, clang of the trolley may one day soon be heard again in the The Loop. A preliminary engineering study is underway for the Loop Trolley Project, a 2.2 mile trolley along Delmar Blvd. from Trinity Ave. to DeBaliviere Ave., and then south along DeBaliviere to the Missouri History Museum. Exhibit 1 below highlights the proposed route.

The consultant team, led by CH2M HILL, is charged with the tasks of performing conceptual and preliminary engineering for the project, developing cost estimates, and identifying prospective funding. The estimated time to complete the study will be 15 months (December 2009). Recommendation(s) from the study will be presented to the East-West Gateway Council of Governments and the Loop Trolley Board for consideration.

The consultant team will build upon results from a 2000 feasibility study which showed returning trolley service to St. Louis would stimulate new development that creates and retains jobs, attract high ridership as well as serve as an attraction for the St. Louis region. In addition, the trolley would better connect Forest Park and The Loop to the two MetroLink Stations it would serve. The consultant team will analyze community, environmental, transportation, economic, and physical conditions in the corridor to develop planning and preliminary engineering plans for the project. The plan will position the project for final engineering and implementation.

The goal is to achieve 30 percent engineering which will allow for accurate cost estimates. It is a big step towards final engineering and eventual construction, said Joe Edwards, president of the Loop Trolley Company.

Progress to Date

Phase I

Financial Planning
(Oct - Dec 2008)
Established Advisory Committee
Financial Planning Workshop (Nov 2008)
Decision to pursue funding outside of Federal Transit Administration New Starts/Small Starts program;
this may be revisited later in project

Phase IIB

(Jan - Dec 2009)
Task 1
Scoping and Coordination

Task 2
Community Engagement (Ongoing)
Loop Trolley Advisory Committee meetings, public economic development forum in June, public open house in July,
neighborhood briefings (ongoing), two editions of the newsletter, Web site, Facebook updates, media coverage

Task 3
Existing/Future Conditions
Transportation, environmental, utilities, surveying and mapping, bridge analysis (Jan/March)

Task 4
Problem Statement and Evaluation Criteria (Feb/March)
Draft statement and matrix completed

Task 5
Alternatives Development
Two fixed guideway alternatives and design options developed; includes double and single track alternatives
(March/April)

Task 6
Conceptual design of alternatives
Two alternatives advanced to roughly 10% of final design plans; operating plans and station stop planning conducted
as well (March - June)

Task 7
Evaluation of Alternatives
Alternatives "modeled" to determine ridership projections; various environmental studies conducted to assess impacts;
conceptual opinions of cost developed (May -June)

Task 8
Selection of Preferred Alternative
Project team worked with stakeholders to identify and recommend the preferred alternative;
East-West Gateway board approved recommendation on July 25th (March/April)

Task 9
Preliminary Engineering of Preferred Alternative
Preferred alternative advanced to 30% of design; cost estimates updated (August - December)