Historical April–May 2003 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Sometime this summer, most likely in July, METRO (formerly BiState) will begin the long anticipated construction of the MetroLink extension to Clayton and Shrewsbury.
This construction will directly affect Skinker DeBaliviere.
It is anticipated that the Forest Park Parkway from De Baliviere west will be closed to all traffic for up to two years. Ease of entry to and egress from our neighborhood will not be quite as simple and we will have to rethink routes.
There will be major work done at the DeBaliviere station and a new station will be constructed beneath Skinker and the Parkway. DeBaliviere and Skinker, however, will remain open.
Residents will soon become accustomed to the sounds of construction beginning around 7 am.
Some problems and solutions from Washington University may help.
A temporary roadway will allow people to enter WU parking garages on the north end of the Hilltop Campus, from Big Bend through Throop Drive, one way east-bound.
From Skinker to Throop, this will be two-way traffic.
A temporary traffic signal behind the “Village” (small group housing) will allow people to go west to Big Bend. Forsyth Boulevard may see heavier traffic, and WU is aiming for a temporary traffic signal at Forsyth and Hoyt Drive.
In addition, the Forest Park Parkway will be closed from east to Kingshighway.
The road there will be reconstructed and we all know it is not in good shape.
The entrance ramp from Lindell at Union will be reconfigured to eliminate the dangerous, sharp clover ramp.
The new entrance ramp will access the Parkway from Union just south of Lindell in the park.
The exit ramp from eastbound Forest Park Parkway onto Lindell/Union will be straightened to make it safer.
This construction will begin in the fall of 2003 and take a year. At some point during the construction it will no longer be possible to take DesPeres to Lindell. DesPeres for vehicles will end at the Parkway.
However, there will be a pedestrian bridge over the MetroLink tracks just south of the Parkway that will make it possible for pedestrians to get to Lindell and the bike path.
The bridge’s design was initially controversial. Alderman Lyda Krewson of the 28th ward held up bills critical to MetroLink construction in order to see that the bridge was reconceptualized to make it more aesthetically appealing.
The Times will provide more information as it becomes available.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2003.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2003_04.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 5; PDF page(s) 1, 5.
