Representatives of the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) recently joined local officials, stakeholders and nearly 100 cyclists to celebrate the grand opening of a new $6 million, 4.5-mile extension of the MetroBikeLink Trail. This milestone marks the completion of the first of three parts of the MetroLink Expansion Project to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, with associated roadway improvements opening soon and the MetroLink extension anticipated to begin service in late summer.
For the St. Louis region, projects like this do more than expand transportation options—they also support cleaner air and healthier communities. By making it easier for residents to bike instead of drive, trails like MetroBikeLink help reduce vehicle emissions, a leading contributor to poor air quality, especially during the hot summer months.
The new trail segment runs parallel to the MetroLink alignment from the existing bike path at Shiloh-Scott Transit Center to near MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. It features scenic views, rolling inclines, three bridges, no stops and passes through Silver Creek Wetlands, home to native wildlife. The trail is ideal for cyclists looking to build speed and endurance.
Biking on trails like this is also an easy way to reduce emissions. Choosing to bike—even for part of a commute or recreational trip—helps cut down on ozone-forming pollution, which contributes to unhealthy air quality days in the region.
During the grand opening ceremony, attendees heard remarks from project partners and local leaders about the continued growth of the MetroBikeLink System and its role in enhancing connectivity and quality of life. Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to take part in an inaugural bike ride and explore the new trail segment.
Access to safe biking infrastructure not only improves mobility—it encourages more people to choose active transportation. Biking and walking produce zero emissions, making them effective ways to help improve air quality while supporting personal health.
Construction on the trail began in 2023 and was completed in June 2026. The project was designed through a combined effort between engineering firms WSP, TWM and EFK Moen, with elements constructed under four different contracts. SCCTD funded $5.5 million of the project, with an additional $500,000 in grants from the Metro East Park and Recreation District and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The MetroBikeLink Trail is the spine of a 40-mile system of interconnecting trails throughout St. Clair County. It runs adjacent to the MetroLink alignment for more than 18 miles and connects to seven Metro Transit Centers in five communities, offering seamless integration with MetroLink, MetroBus and microtransit options like the SCCTD Flyer.
“The MetroBikeLink System seamlessly links residents to our world-class transit system and expands opportunities for multimodal travel across St. Clair County,” said Ken Sharkey, managing director of SCCTD. “This momentum will only continue as we look ahead to the 5-mile MetroLink extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport opening in the coming months.”
To learn more about SCCTD’s MetroBikeLink System, visit SCCTD.org/MetroBikeLink.
