The Connecting St. Louis plan is a vision for a network of low-stress connections for people walking and biking in St. Louis.
From 2016-2018, Trailnet engaged more than 4,000 individuals and 60 partner groups across the community to identify the areas with the greatest need for on-street bike improvements. This plan has helped shaped the planning and construction of biking and walking improvements across the city.
In the years since Connecting St. Louis was published, regional decision makers have bought into the vision for a safe, integrated network of low-stress bike connections. Trailnet has strengthened partnerships with St. Louis City and Great Rivers Greenway as well as numerous partners to advance safer routes for walking and biking. Learn more about this progress in our Connecting St. Louis 2021 update.
More than 6 miles of the low-stress biking and walking connection have been funded and are advancing towards construction. Learn more about these routes in our Connecting St. Louis 2021 update.
TAKING SHAPE: TOWER GROVE CONNECTOR
The Tower Grove Connector is the first route identified Connecting St. Louis to move towards construction.
This .9 mile cycletrack (aka protected bike lane) will link Tower Grove Park, the Grove and the surrounding neighborhoods.
This route is the busiest bike corridor in the region. It is currently in the design phase with construction starting as early as 2023. Trailnet is serving on the design team, coordinating community engagement.
Visit the project website to learn more about this vital connection and the planned upgrades.
Moving Ahead: Tucker Bike-Walk-Bus Project
A .9 mile cycle track (aka protected bike lane) is coming to downtown St. Louis! The Tucker Bike-Walk-Bus improvement project is the second Trailnet-initiated Connecting St. Louis Project to move towards construction. It includes a cycle track, bus stop upgrades, and crosswalk improvements.
The improvements along Tucker Blvd. stretch between Chouteau Ave. and Washington Ave., crossing the Mill Creek railyard and connecting into downtown. This North-South route creates a more-accessible, less-stressful, and safer connection into downtown.
The two-way cycle track and numerous intersection safety improvements along the corridor will create a safer connection for people walking, biking, and taking the bus. These improvements include bus islands, pedestrian refuge islands, Americans with Disabilities Act intersection improvements, crosswalk signal upgrades, and high-visibility crosswalks along this .9 mile stretch of Tucker Blvd.
The project is sponsored by the city of St. Louis and was developed by Trailnet and numerous community partners. Learn more about the route improvements here.
“Bike and pedestrian infrastructure like what Trailnet has envisioned is critical to making the City a growing place, a more equitable place, and help those organizations attract the talent they need to be successful.”
Jason Hall, CEO and Co-Founder of Arch to Park
CONNECTING ST. LOUIS ROLLS AHEAD
“There’s a lot of people who don’t have a way to get around…There’s a real sense of urgency just to provide some safer alternatives for getting around. It’s important to change the culture and the mindset that we all have a right to access and use our roadways.”
Cara Spencer, 20th Ward Alderwoman in St. Louis
STREET RECOMMENDATIONS
The report’s streets recommendations take into account: Quality of Life, Existing Plans, Parks and Trails, Transit, Economic Development Potential, Equity, and Density. Click here to see some of the specific corridor recommendations from the master plan.
HUMANS OF THE VISION
The “Humans of the Vision” project is Trailnet’s way of capturing the voices of our committee members to learn why they are excited to help create a vision that safely connects people walking and biking in St. Louis. Click the image and find out what makes our committees so dedicated to change!
THE PLANNING PROCESS
Connecting St. Louis has been driven by a passionate and involved Committee. Click here to view Committee Meeting Minutes and read their letters below:
From November 2016 to November 2018, Trailnet dove into an extensive planning process to review past, current, and future projects with over 50 partners and over 4,000 community respondents. The planning process consisted of five committees (Design and Placemaking, Destinations and Routes, Funding and Governance, Land Use, and Public Input), six community champions, and two community engagement opportunities. Click here to view the planning process.
- A Word from John Kohler | Destinations and Routes Committee
- A Word from John Cruz | Land Use Committee
- A Word from Kevin McKinney | Land Use Committee
Connecting St. Louis is endorsed by community supporters, civic leaders and more. Click here to view our letters of support. Click here to view our media coverage.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Trailnet gratefully acknowledges the generous support of many corporations, foundations, and individuals, such as Ameren, Burns McDonnell, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Commerce Bank, Emerson, Green Street St. Louis, HOK, William A. Kerr Foundation, Koman, Lawrence Group, Lewis Rice, LHM, McCarthy, People for Bikes, Staenberg Family Foundation, Stifel, St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, U.S. Bank, Washington University St. Louis, and many more.
READ THE REPORT
