RAISE discretionary grant program (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) selected this St. Louis project for funding

With great support from Senator Roy Blunt and Congresswoman Cori Bush, part of the northern segment of the Brickline Greenway, from Fairground Park to Forest Park Avenue, just took an important step forward. The United States Department of Transportation awarded Great Rivers Greenway $15 million in construction funding as part of their RAISE discretionary grant program (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity).

This segment of the Brickline Greenway path will give people transportation choices and connections to nearby destinations, especially on this route with high crash, injury and fatality rates for people walking or riding bikes. The greenway will also include features along the way to enhance the environment and climate change resiliency, improve the safety of visitors and tell the stories of the place through signs, public art and programs. Another major goal is for the greenway to be a catalyst for equitable economic development to strengthen the neighborhoods and current residents in this historically disinvested area. The approach to equity means pursuing shared prosperity for people here now and driving job and population growth. Working with residents, partners and leaders, the greenway project and process strives to drive access to transportation, employment and training opportunities, affordable housing, job and population growth and overall quality of life. Great Rivers Greenway is working with many different kinds of partners to bring all of these aspects of the project to life.

The 2.16 mile section spans 4 neighborhoods, connecting destinations like Fairground Park, Boys & Girls Club of St. Louis, Saint Louis University, City Foundry, churches, businesses and the busiest transit route in the MetroBus system. The total cost of this project from Fairground Park to Forest Park Ave is $41 million and is currently in planning with community engagement, estimated to move into construction in 2025. The RAISE grant, funding a portion of the project’s construction from Fairground Park to Page Avenue, is supported by additional local sales tax dollars that fund Great Rivers Greenway and the match is being supported by Edward Jones and other private donors. Additional fundraising is currently underway. Another portion of the project, from Sarah Street to the Grand MetroLink Station, recently received $4 million in federal funds for construction through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) through East-West Gateway Council of Governments.

This segment is part of the overall Brickline Greenway, a public-private project to connect Forest Park, Gateway Arch National Park, Fairground Park and Tower Grove Park with a network of 10-20 miles of greenway paths connecting up to 17 neighborhoods and creating equitable opportunities for growth along the way. The project is driven by community engagement across all audiences. Visit www.BricklineGreenway.org to learn more about the project and subscribe for email or text updates. The full application and letters of support can be viewed at www.GreatRiversGreenway.org/RAISE.