Overview: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and local officials have marked the completion of the 5.2-mile, $192 million MetroLink extension connecting the Shiloh-Scott Transit Center directly to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. Funded via the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program and the St. Clair County Transit District with no added debt to taxpayers, this multimodal project introduces MetroLink’s 39th station alongside upgraded roadways and expanded bike trails. Once revenue service starts, it creates a rare, direct light-rail corridor linking two regional airports, MidAmerica and St. Louis Lambert International, to unlock massive economic and job connectivity across the bi-state area.

A $192 million multimodal corridor links MidAmerica Airport and Scott Air Force Base to direct regional light rail, fueling bi-state economic growth.

A Transformative $192 Million Transit Investment

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joined local leaders, transit officials, and community stakeholders to celebrate a historic milestone. Together, they marked the completion of construction on the MetroLink extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.

The project delivers a transformative $192 million multimodal investment to St. Clair County and the wider bi-state region. It expands travel options, strengthens transit connections, and fuels sustained economic growth.

More than 100 people attended the celebration. State and regional leaders delivered remarks before cutting the ribbon at the new MidAmerica St. Louis Airport MetroLink Station. Dignitaries then boarded an inaugural train ride along the new tracks.

Building a Seamless Multimodal Network

The comprehensive initiative combines three distinct transportation improvements:

• A $154 million light rail line spanning 5.2 miles from the Shiloh-Scott Transit Center to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. 
• $32 million in direct roadway infrastructure improvements. 
• A $6 million addition that extends the MetroBikeLink Trail by 4.5 miles. 

Together, these assets build a cohesive transit network. The corridor directly serves commuters, cyclists, drivers, airport passengers, and regional employers.

The new station sits right across from the MidAmerica St. Louis Airport terminal and parking facility. It marks the system’s first major expansion in nearly two decades.

Connecting Two International Airports

When passenger service begins in the coming months, the facility will become MetroLink’s 39th station. The line links MidAmerica St. Louis Airport directly to St. Louis Lambert International Airport across a 43-mile corridor. This connection places the St. Louis area among only a few regions nationwide with light rail running between two airports.

Arriving passengers will encounter “Taking Flight,” a large-scale sculpture by Massachusetts artist Dale Rogers. The installation depicts five 12-foot gulls soaring above the terminal grounds.

Road crews also finished critical roadway links. A new 2.4-mile road runs from Rieder Road to Airport Boulevard, linking directly to Interstate 64 to create a fresh airport gateway. Workers also extended Rieder Road by one-third of a mile from Wherry Road to Scott Air Force Base’s Cardinal Creek Gate, unlocking faster base access.

On-Time Delivery Without Taxpayer Debt

A strong partnership between the State of Illinois and the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) funded the entire project. The state contributed $127 million through the Rebuild Illinois Capital Program. SCCTD provided the remaining $65 million.

The teams delivered the project on schedule. Crucially, they required zero federal funds and created no additional debt for local taxpayers.

“This project is much more than a transit expansion,” said Mark Kern, St. Clair County Chairman. “It is an investment in our communities, workforce, and future. By connecting MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, Scott Air Force Base, employers, and neighborhoods to the region’s transit network, we create new opportunities for residents. We also position St. Clair County for continued growth. This achievement proves what partners can do when they unite around a shared vision. Skilled labor trades and construction professionals made this vision a reality through hard work and expertise.”

Fueling Regional Economic Expansion

The corridor promises immediate economic returns well past transit convenience. Planners designed the alignment with infill potential to spark private commercial investment near the airport terminal. The route also sharpens transit access to Scott Air Force Base, neighboring employers, and future industrial sites.

The project builds upon SCCTD’s existing $129.5 million annual economic footprint in St. Clair County. Agency officials awarded most project contracts to regional firms, keeping public dollars inside the community. This purchasing strategy directly supported local contractors, union trade labor, and disadvantaged business enterprises.

“This project demonstrates what happens when bold vision meets strong partnerships and true execution,” said Ken Sharkey, managing director of the St. Clair County Transit District. “Our teams invested tremendous planning, coordination, and effort into this line. Today, we celebrate modern infrastructure that opens choices and creates generational benefits for our residents.”

“When this station opens, our region gains 50 miles of rail tying dozens of neighborhoods directly to two international airports,” noted Taulby Roach, President and CEO of Bi-State Development. “Our riders gain direct access to jobs, destinations, and regional opportunities.”

Broad Collaboration and What Comes Next

Crews delivered the multimodal corridor across five distinct construction packages. Dozens of prime contractors, trade unions, and engineering specialists collaborated on site.

Key partners included the St. Clair County Transit District, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bi-State Development, St. Clair County, MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, Gonzalez Companies, and the Southwestern Illinois Building Trades Council. Project managers also worked closely with American Indian tribes to protect sensitive archaeological and cultural resources during construction.

Crews have finished track work and are now conducting active train testing. Passenger revenue service will start in the coming months. Meanwhile, SCCTD approved a final task order to push the MetroBikeLink Trail an additional 0.7 miles directly to the airport terminal platform, with trail work wrapping up within a year.

To discover more about the line, review project maps, or follow service announcements, visit the SCCTD project portal.