Cortex/Tower Grove Bicycle Connector Project Phase 2

Sarah Street, in the heart of central Saint Louis, connects 2 neighborhoods, schools, community centers, and commercial and employment opportunities. This project will enhance multimodal access to previously funded projects including the completed Cortex MetroLink light rail station and the currently underway segment of the Brickline, which links the Cortex MetroLink station to the City Foundry. Improving this corridor will provide safe and accessible routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Project Location / Description

The 0.36 miles of the project corridor are on Sarah Street from Forest Park Avenue on the north to Vandeventer on the south. Phase 2 of this project links to the improvements undertaken in Phase 2, which includes Tower Grove Avenue from Magnolia Avenue to Vandeventer Avenue, and from Vandeventer Avenue from Tower Grove Avenue to Sarah Street. 
Increasing pedestrian, bicycle, and transit trips along with alleviating traffic congestion are key elements of a broad transportation strategy for central Saint Louis. As development accelerates and future growth continues, streets in the project area are approaching their traffic capacity. This reconstruction project will create a protected bicycle facility spanning from Tower Grove Park to the Cortex Innovation District which will allow for direct multimodal access to the MetroLink station while simultaneously improving the City’s traffic management capabilities. This project will also improve air quality and support continued growth and development of this important area of the City.

Project Objectives

Traffic Calming Improvements:    
•    Traffic signal interconnection
•    Modified traffic signal controllers and equipment
•    New traffic signals
•    Intersection improvements
•    Fiber optic signal interconnection

Bicycle and Pedestrian Related Improvements
•    Cycle track
•    Protected bicycle lanes
•    Upgraded bicycle facilities
•    Bicycle detection
 

Project Budget

Funding for this project is provided by Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Grant, East West Gateway, and the City of Saint Louis.

Preliminary Engineering/Planning/Environmental Studies: Total Cost: $520,000.00
                           Federal Funds: $0 
                           Local Funds: $520,000.00

Right of Way (ROW): Total Cost: $100,000.00
                          Federal Funds: $0
                          Local Funds: $100,000.00

Construction/ Engineering: Total Cost: $280,000.00
                            Federal Funds: $224,000.00
                            Local Funds: $56,000.00

 Construction/Implementation: Total Cost: $4,000,000
                           Federal Funds: $3,200,000
                           Local Funds: $800,000.00
                                                                              Total Cost: $4,900,000.00
                                                                              Federal Funds: $3,424,000.00
                                                                              Local Funds: $1,476,000.00

Project Schedule
     •    Engineering Services Contract Submitted and Approved: N/A
     •    Public Meeting/Hearing: October 2023
     •    Submit and Receive Approval for Proceed for Right of Way Acquisition 
          (A-Date): Janauary 2024
     •    District Approval of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) advertise for bids:                              April 2025-June 2025
     •    Project Implementation/Construction: October 2025-October 2026
 

Status

Design Stage

Start Date

End Date

Project Map

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More Info

Ward

Ward 9

Neighborhood

Central West End

Forest Park Southeast

Documents

• Tower Grove/Cortex Connector Project Map

Photos