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Transportation

New Mississippi River Bridge Gives Tucker Boulevard A New Purpose

Published on Tuesday, 26 April 2011 01:00

Written by Herbie Markwort

Construction on the new Mississippi River bridge project is about to gain significantly increased visibility over the coming spring and summer months. During the winter, construction crews poured the bridge's foundations. With that work recently completed, work has begun on the bridge's towers which will slowly rise 400 ft into the air. The towers will take approximately 18 months to complete barring any delays from the rising Mississippi River.

Meanwhile, work continues on the project to rebuild and reroute Tucker Blvd. from Washington Ave to the new Mississippi River bridge ramps at Cass Ave. From MLK Dr. to O'Fallon St., workers have already completely filled in the tunnel with dirt and Styrofoam that was used by the Illinois Terminal Railroad. North of O'Fallon St., construction has carved a curving dirt path through the site of an old Schnucks in order to connect Tucker Blvd. directly to the new Mississippi River Bridge. The old connection to from Tucker Blvd. to N 13th St and N Florissant Ave. will continue to exist through a new 'T' intersection near O'Fallon St.

Aerotropolis Tax Credits Deconstructed: What Do We Really Get for Our Money?

Published on Monday, 18 April 2011 12:03

Written by Frank DeGraaf

Senate Bill 390 proposes $480 million in tax credits spread out over 15 years in an attempt to spur private investment in warehousing, cold-chain facilities and distribution centers and to lure (air) freight forwarders to set up shop in the St. Louis area. The goal is to create an International cargo hub at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.

Opponents are voicing concerns. Some of the questions asked: “Why would we commit to these tax credits without a commitment from the Chinese?” or “Shouldn’t there be a provision in the bill that voids it if the Chinese don’t commit?” and the obvious: “Why should Missouri tax payers help pay for this hub? If it’s such a good idea shouldn’t it pay for itself?” All are good questions. The concerns are real.

Aerotropolis Trade Incentive & Tax Credit Act: Making the China Hub a Reality at Lambert

Published on Monday, 11 April 2011 15:43

Written by Frank DeGraaf

The Missouri Senate will be deciding soon on whether to enact into law SB390 (read the bill below), the “Aerotropolis Trade Incentive & Tax Credit Act”. To get a better understanding of what this bill is all about let’s go over some of the key components:

What is an Aerotropolis?

The word Aerotropolis was first coined by author Dr. John D. Kasarda. He basically describes modern airports as the core of new development, including manufacturing, distributing, hotels, retail, entertainment, residences and services. The airport will eventually transform itself into an Airport City with access through the air, rail, road and/or water, with tens of thousands working at or around the core. These effects around the core can extend as far as fifty miles from the airport.

Examples of Aerotropolis airports are Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami and Memphis in the US; Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris in Europe and Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong in Asia. Many more are developing around the nation and the world.

Loop Trolley Announces Open House, Takes Big Step With Release of Draft Environment Assessment

Published on Friday, 08 April 2011 08:03

Written by Herbie Markwort

The Loop Trolley project reached another milestone Tuesday with the release of the Draft Environment Assessment (571pgs, see below). The $43 million project, slated to be completed in 2012, would construct a 2.2-mile streetcar line with 9 stations extending from Trinity Avenue near the Lion's Gate in the Delmar Loop to the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. The Final Environmental Assessment is expected to take approximately 6 months to complete.

The Loop Trolley project received a major boost last year when it was awarded $25 million by the Federal Transit Administration. The award, part of the FTA's Urban Circulator grant program, was one of five given to streetcar projects across the country.

St. Louis County Wants U-City to Pay for Delmar: Too Successful to be an Arterial Road

Published on Tuesday, 22 March 2011 13:34

Written by Herbie Markwort

As reported by University City Patch in January, St. Louis County would like to remove a section of Delmar Blvd from its arterial road system and turn control over to another government entity, most likely University City. Specifically, the county would like to divest the .65 mile section of Delmar Blvd running through The Loop from Big Bend Blvd to the St. Louis city limits. County traffic engineers estimate the annual cost to University City at $36,000, though University City officials argue the amount could be much greater.

The St. Louis County Department of Highways and Traffic does periodically remove and add streets to its arterial road system. The character and demand of streets, after all, does change over time. But it's disappointing to read the County's reasons for wanting to discard this section of Delmar Blvd.