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Tag: Centennial Greenway – Katy Trail
Centennial Greenway Update: New Greenway Connections in St. Charles County Coming Soon
Ribbon Cutting and Community Celebration For Centennial Greenway Bridges Saturday, April 7
Join us as we officially open the new pedestrian bridges over highways 364 and 94 in St. Charles County!
Two new pedestrian bridges in St. Charles County will officially open with a ribbon cutting and community celebration on Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 2 to 4 p.m. The bridges are part of the recent expansion of the Centennial Greenway, which provides a new connection to parks, schools, businesses and neighborhoods for thousands of residents on both sides of these busy highways.
Great Rivers Greenway, the City of St. Charles, St. Charles County and the Missouri Department of Transportation are inviting area residents to celebrate this new connection by joining a one-half mile walking and bicycling parade. The parade will begin on both ends of the greenway and will meet in the middle at the scenic overlook, where the ribbon cutting and celebration will take place.
Residents can choose to join the parade from the St. Charles County Heritage Museum at Heritage Park (1630 Heritage Landing, St. Peters, MO 63303) or the MoDOT Commuter Lot (Old Highway 94 west of Muegge Road, St. Charles, MO 63303). Parade decorating will begin at 2 p.m. at both locations. The walking and wheeling parades will leave from their respective starting points at 2:15 p.m. and meet in the middle of the expanded greenway for remarks and a ribbon cutting at 2:30 p.m. People are then invited to enjoy a host of activities until 4 p.m., including music, food, free bike adjustments, a photo booth and the opportunity to explore the new greenway.
“People who live and work in St. Charles County have watched this greenway come to life over the past year and are eager to use it,” says St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann. “The highways are no longer a barrier for people who want to walk or ride bikes to get where they need to go. The new greenway also opens up a whole new world of recreational options for thousands of people by connecting them to the Katy Trail as well as other parks and greenways in St. Charles County.”
The project extends the existing 2.2-mile Centennial Greenway north, crossing both highways 364 and 94 via two pedestrian bridges where it connects to Old Highway 94 near Muegge Road. The new route enables on-street connections to nearby Laurel Park, Schaefer Park, Wapelhorst Park, the Laurel Park Trail, the McClay Branch of the St. Charles City-County Library, Francis Howell North High School and Henderson Elementary School—all of which are less than two miles from the bridges. In addition to the paved trail and bridges, the greenway also has a scenic overlook landscaped with native plants and seating for people to stop and rest.
“Building two bridges over two highways was a first for our team and would not have been possible without the outstanding partnership of the City of St. Charles, St. Charles County and the Missouri Department of Transportation,” says Susan Trautman, CEO of Great Rivers Greenway. “The people of the region asked us to bridge these highways with a new route for walking, riding bikes and enjoying fresh air. We are so happy to deliver the greenway they asked for.”
More Greenways for You in 2018!
Construction Update
Our team has been busy planning and building new greenways for you to explore and enjoy! Thanks to our many partners, and tremendous community feedback, we’ll be cutting the ribbon on several expanded greenways this year. We’ll also break ground on a few new projects in 2018. Here’s a quick update:
River des Peres Greenway
We’re putting the finishing touches on the extension of the River des Peres Greenway from the Shrewsbury- Lansdowne MetroLink to Slay Park. Trees and shrubs are all in place and wayfinding signs will be placed in the coming weeks. Thanks to this most recent expansion, the greenway now stretches a full 9.6 miles and connects to more places than ever before!
Centennial Greenway: Bridges over 364 & 94 in St. Charles County
In April, we’ll celebrate the expansion of the Centennial Greenway in St. Charles County over Highways 364 and 94. It now connects both sides of the community so people can safely walk or ride a bike across these busy highways. New connections to parks, schools, businesses and the Katy Trail on foot or bike are now possible thanks to these two bridges. Save the date for a ribbon cutting celebration with our partners on April 7, 2018!
Mississippi Greenway: Cliff Cave Park
In May, we’ll open the expanded greenway in Cliff Cave Park with a ribbon cutting May 4th and Community Day May 6th. This 2 mile expansion connects the existing greenway to the upper section of the park so it is more accessible for everyone. There’s also a new parking lot, restrooms and a neighborhood spur that connects to Telegraph Road. Wait ‘til you see the amazing view of the Mississippi River from the new overlook on the bluff!
Fee Fee Greenway: Aquaport to Creve Coeur Park
On June 14th, we’ll cut another ribbon on the expanded Fee Fee Greenway. This two mile extension along Quarry at Crystal Springs golf course makes it possible to walk or ride a bike all the way from Aquaport in Maryland Heights to Creve Coeur Park.
Gravois Greenway: Grant’s Trail
On June 24th, we’ll open the new trailhead at the south end of the greenway near Orlando’s. The first phase of this eagerly anticipated expansion includes restrooms, benches, landscaping and a play structure. As part of the festivities, we’ll also host an open house so you can learn more about the second phase of the project that will extend the greenway an additional two miles to connect with the River des Peres Greenway.
Deer Creek Greenway: Deer Creek Park to Lorraine Davis Park
Next fall, we’ll celebrate the 1.5 mile extension of the Deer Creek Greenway from Webster Groves Deer Creek Park to Lorraine Davis Park. When complete, there will be a total of 2.2 miles to explore and enjoy! There will also be a new boardwalk, landscaping with native plants, and a new pavilion with picnic tables and a drinking fountain in Lorraine Davis Park.
What’s Coming in 2018
The Great Rivers Greenway Board has approved funding to advance several projects in 2018. Here are a few highlights:
Chouteau Greenway
Together with our partners, we’ll advance the concepts for the Chouteau Greenway as the design competition continues through the end of June. See the latest updates here. Get the latest information on the Chouteau Greenway here.
Maline Greenway
Construction will soon begin on the first segment of the Maline Greenway in Bella Fontaine Park. Plans include the renovation of existing trails, replacement of three pedestrian bridges, and construction of an underpass beneath Lewis and Clark Boulevard that will connect both sides of the park, providing area residents with a safer way to enjoy all the park’s amenities and improved options for accessing transit.
New Trailhead on Deer Creek Greenway
Bids are out for a new trailhead on Marshall Avenue along the route of the Deer Creek Greenway that’s currently under construction. It will offer parking, a water fountain, a pavilion, benches, restored streambank habitat and more!
Centennial Greenway: Interstate I-70 and Delmar Improvements
We are working with our partners on the final designs to improve the greenway where it crosses over Delmar at I-170 in the City of University City. The goal is to make it safer and easier for people to navigate this intersection whether they are on foot, bike or in a car.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Greenway Construction Update: November 2017
If we summarized our greenway construction over the past three months in just one word, it would have to be… BRIDGES!
Since July, our project managers have overseen the placement of five bridges in three greenways across the region. Two in Cliff Cave Park for the Mississippi Greenway, one for the Fee Fee Greenway in Maryland Heights, and two over Highways 364 and 94 for the Centennial Greenway in St. Charles County.
In late July, contractors placed a 70 foot bridge over the creek that flows from the mouth of Cliff Cave in the Mississippi Greenway. A 210 foot bridge, one of the longest single span pedestrian bridges in the St. Louis region, was placed over Cliff Cave Road. New restrooms were installed in mid-October and work continues on the new parking lot serving the upper section of Cliff Cave County Park. Contractors are putting the finishing touches on the new overlook as construction continues between Cliff Cave Road and Telegraph Road. Trees will be planted between now and the end of the year but the rest of the landscaping will have to wait until warmer weather in the spring.
We know everyone is eager to explore and enjoy the new paved paths and overlook, but the upper section of Cliff Cave County Park is still closed. Our project manager and partners at St. Louis County Parks want to remind everyone this is an active construction site and for everyone’s safety, please only use the greenway in the lower section of the park. We look forward to opening this new greenway in spring 2018!
In September, a 78 foot bridge was set over Fee Fee Creek in Maryland Heights as part of the two mile extension of the Fee Fee Greenway from its current endpoint in McKelvey Woods to Creve Coeur County Park. A new “living wall” is starting to come to life with its first “cover crop” of wild rye grass. The purpose of the living wall system is to help capture the storm water that drains off the paved surface, reducing the impact on nearby creeks and streams. This living wall will also provide habitat for wildlife and insects. When the project is completed in early to mid-2018, the three mile greenway will connect the new Maryland Heights Community Center and Aquaport with Creve Coeur County Park.
Another construction milestone occurred in September with the placement of two bridges over highways 364 & 94 in St. Charles County. Two of the longest bridges in our system at 217 and 280 feet, they required four overnight highway closures. Construction crews are working on the approaches to the bridges and the project is expected to be wrapped up in 2017. Some landscaping work will continue into spring 2018. Stay tuned for updates on when the new Centennial Greenway bridges will be open for you to explore and enjoy!
Construction is about 90 percent complete on the River des Peres Greenway extension from the Shrewsbury- Lansdowne MetroLink to Slay Park. Painting is underway on the Lansdowne and Chippewa Bridges and new trees and wayfinding signs should be installed in the coming weeks. We’ll let you know when the greenway is officially open!
Construction to extend the Gravois Greenway: Grant’s Trail to connect it with the River des Peres Greenway began in late September with the closure of the southern trailhead near Orlando’s Event and Conference Center. Crews are building the foundations for the new restroom and trailhead amenities as well as beginning to layout the new paved greenway segment. As a reminder, you are unable to enter or exit the greenway at Orlando’s while construction of the improved trailhead is underway. The last 750 feet of the existing paved route is also closed. The first phase of construction is expected to last about six months with the second phase breaking ground in mid-2018.
Sections of Route 364 and Route 94 to Be Closed Overnight Starting Sept. 11
Closures Will Allow for Installation of New Pedestrian Bridges for Centennial Greenway Expansion
Motorists traveling in St. Charles County should be aware of the overnight closures of Routes 364 and Route 94 starting next week so crews can place pedestrian bridges as part of Great Rivers Greenway’s Centennial Greenway project.
On Monday, Sept. 11, crews will place the bridge segment over westbound Route 364. Drivers can expect the following:
-At 7 p.m., crews will close the left lane of westbound Route 364 at Muegge Road to Heritage Crossing.
-At 9 p.m., all lanes of westbound Route 364 will be closed at Arena Parkway to Heritage Crossing.
-All westbound lanes are expected to be open by Sept. 12 at 4 a.m.
On Tuesday, Sept.12, crews will place the bridge segment over eastbound Route 364. Drivers can expect the following:
-At 7 p.m., crews will close the left lane of eastbound Route 364 between eastbound Route 94 and Arena Parkway.
-At 9 p.m., all lanes of eastbound Route 364 will be closed between eastbound Route 94 and Arena Parkway.
-All eastbound lanes are expected to be open by Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 4 a.m.
On Monday, Sept. 18, crews will place the bridge segment over westbound Route 94. Drivers can expect the following:
-At 7 p.m., crews will close the left lane of westbound Route 94 from the eastbound Route 364 Loop Ramp at Muegge Road to Heritage Crossing.
-At 9 p.m., all lanes of westbound Route 94 will be closed from the eastbound Route 364 Loop Ramp at Muegge Road to Heritage Crossing.
-All westbound lanes are expected to be open by Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 4 a.m.
On Tuesday, Sept. 19, crews will place the bridge segment over eastbound Route 94. Drivers can expect the following:
-At 7 p.m., crews will close Exit 13 from eastbound Highway 364/94, preventing access to eastbound Route 94.
-At 9 p.m., all lanes of eastbound Route 94 will be closed from Exit 13 to Portwest Drive. Drivers will not have access to eastbound Route 94 from South St. Peters Parkway as part of the closure.
-All eastbound lanes are expected to be open by Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 4 a.m.
“All project partners are working together to minimize inconvenience to the people who live and work in this area,” said Patrick Owens, Great Rivers Greenway Project Manager. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we bridge these two highways so people will soon be able to safely walk or ride a bike to get where they need to go.”
All work is weather-permitting and could be shifted due to inclement weather. The bridges will be assembled on site and then separately hoisted into place over Routes 364 and 94. Both bridges are part of the project extending the existing 2.2-mile Centennial Greenway in St. Charles County that links the Heritage Museum to the KATY Trail. When complete, the paved greenway will extend an additional mile north across both Routes 364 and 94 and connect to Old Highway 94 near Muegge Road.
Greenway construction is expected to last through the end of the year.
Greenway Construction Update: August 2017
Our project managers have been busy overseeing greenway construction throughout the St. Louis region. Here are the latest updates:
In St. Charles County, crews have been hard at work building the supporting walls for the bridges that will extend the Centennial Greenway over Highways 364 and 94. The bridge truss segments will be assembled on site and then separately hoisted into place in September. This will require four overnight lane closures and all project partners are working together to minimize inconvenience to motorists who live and work in this area. Stay tuned for the exact dates when these new bridges will be set in place!
In south St. Louis County, work continues in the Mississippi Greenway: Cliff Cave County Park where contractors have placed two bridges, including a 210 foot bridge over Cliff Cave Road. Work continues on a new overlook which will provide visitors with a safe vista of the Mississippi River’s breathtaking grandeur. Paving on the east side of the project, the new parking lot, and restroom installation is planned for the coming weeks.
In the City of St. Louis, construction of a new extension to the River des Peres Greenway is substantially complete between Lansdowne and Interstate 44. Work continues on the Lansdowne bridge where the greenway will connect to the Shrewsbury MetroLink Station. Contractors are now focused on the stretch of greenway north of Interstate 44 to Francis R. Slay Park. Keep an eye out for new trees that will be installed this fall!
In Maryland Heights, the expansion of the Fee Fee Greenway from its current endpoint in McKelvey Woods to Creve Coeur County Park is well underway. Crews are preparing to set a 70 foot bridge across Fee Fee Creek next month. When the project is complete in early to mid-2018, the three mile greenway will connect the new Maryland Heights Community Center and Aquaport with Creve Coeur County Park.
Coming Soon: Bids for the construction of the first phase of the Gravois Greenway expansion and Deer Creek Greenway extension to Lorraine Davis Park were received the week of August 21. The Great Rivers Greenway Board of Directors will be reviewing them at our September board meeting. We’ll let you know when you can look forward to these projects breaking ground!
Greenway Project Updates: May 2017
Progress continues on 6.8 miles of new greenway under construction across the region
Despite the recent rainy weather, progress continues on 6.8 miles of new greenway under construction across the region!
In St. Charles County, work is underway on the Centennial Greenway expansion over Highways 364 and 94. The route has been cleared and contractors have started driving steel pile into the bedrock to support the new bicycle and pedestrian bridges, which are slated to be installed over the highways this September.
Along the Fee Fee Greenway in Maryland Heights, contractors are focused on excavation and earthwork to prepare the way for the new connection that will link Aquaport and McKelvey Woods to Creve Coeur County Park.
In south St. Louis County, work continues in the Mississippi Greenway: Cliff Cave Park where contractors are building the abutments for the walking and biking bridge over Cliff Cave Road. They are also building new retaining walls and working on the new stretch of greenway that will connect the upper and lower sections of the park.
On the north end of the River des Peres Greenway, contractors have already finished several segments of the new greenway and are rebuilding portions of the roadway on Ellendale. You can also see the greenway taking shape on the Lansdowne bridge where it will connect to the Shrewsbury MetroLink Station.
On the south end of River des Peres Greenway, the extension from Alabama to Broadway through Lemay Park is almost finished and is open to cyclists, joggers and walkers. The segment that will eventually connect with the Mississippi Greenway near the River City Casino has temporarily been put on hold. We are working with our partners at Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District to coordinate some planned repairs to the banks of the River des Peres as well as some sewer line improvements. As stewards of taxpayer funds, we do not want to build this segment of greenway only to tear it up again in the coming months to accommodate this construction. We will let you know the updated timeline for completing the connection as soon as details are finalized. Thank you for your patience!
4 Greenway Construction Projects Break Ground in first quarter of 2017
Our team has been hard at work on several new construction projects that have broken ground in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County during the first quarter of 2017. Here’s a quick update:
River des Peres Greenway
The River des Peres Greenway is currently undergoing construction in two directions. At its southern end, construction continues from the Alabama Bridge to the Mississippi Greenway. To the north, work began the week of March 13th to extend it another 1.8 miles from the Shrewsbury Lansdowne MetroLink Station to Francis R. Slay Park. When these projects are complete, people will be able to walk, run, ride a bike or use a wheelchair in a paved greenway all the way from the neighborhood greenway at Arsenal and McCausland to Jefferson Barracks and Carondelet Parks! (click here for more information)
Mississippi Greenway: Cliff Cave County Park
Construction of the two mile expansion of the Mississippi Greenway in Cliff Cave County Park began in February. Following guidelines provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, all tree removal has been conducted while the area’s tree roosting bats – including the endangered Indiana Bat – were still hibernating. This project builds upon the 5+ miles of greenways already built in Cliff Cave County Park, and will provide a safe, accessible (ADA) connection between the upper and lower parts of this park along the mighty Mississippi. (click here for more information)
Centennial Greenway: Bridges over Highways 364 and 94
In St. Charles County, construction is underway on a one-mile extension of the existing 2.2-mile Centennial Greenway that links Heritage Park & Museum and the Katy Trail State Park to connect thousands of residents on both sides of highways 364 and 94. The new route will enable on-street connections to nearby Laurel Park, Schaefer Park, Wapelhorst Park, the Laurel Park Trail, McClay Branch of the St. Charles City-County Library, Francis Howell North High School and Henderson Elementary School—all of which are less than two miles from the bridges. More than 800 native trees and shrubs, representing 26 plant species, will also be planted as part of the greenway project. (click here for more information)
Fee Fee Greenway: McKelvey Woods to Creve Coeur County Park
The Fee Fee Greenway parallels Fee Fee Creek, and lies within the Missouri River watershed in Maryland Heights in Northwest St. Louis County. In February, construction kicked off to extend the existing trail an additional 2 miles from McKelvey Woods along Crystal Springs
Quarry Golf Club, to connect with existing trails in Creve Coeur Park (near Marine Avenue). When it’s complete, people can walk, run, ride a bike or push a stroller all the way from the Maryland Heights Community Center, Aquaport and Dogport through McKelvey Woods to Creve Coeur Park. They’ll also be able to connect to the KATY Trail and Centennial Greenway in St. Charles County via the Creve Coeur Connector Trail and separated path on the Page Avenue Bridge! (click here for more information)
All of these greenways provide new opportunities for you to explore new parts of your communities, get some exercise and fresh air, and even get around town. To see a list of all the greenways, click here.
Make Way for the Centennial Greenway!
Site preparation for the soon-to-be-constructed bicycle and pedestrian bridges over highways 364 and 94 in the City of St. Charles is slated to begin the week of March 13.
The first phase will be the removal of some trees, underbrush, and invasive honeysuckle along the route of the new greenway. Trees will be cleared in three locations; two areas on the east side of South Old Highway 94 and another section adjacent to the existing greenway parallel to Highway 364.
While it may look a little bare for now without the trees, it’s only temporary! We will be replanting 183 new trees and 685 new shrubs—more than 26 different native species that will flourish and grow with minimal maintenance in Missouri’s climate. We’ll also be planting more than 10,000 square feet of native seeded areas that will not only add natural beauty, but also provide food for birds and butterflies, wildlife habitat, filter pollutants, and manage storm water runoff.
The new landscaping will be installed towards the end of the project, so please be patient as we work together to expand the Centennial Greenway over these two highways and open up a new route for people to walk or ride bikes!
183 new trees (16 different species!)
When the greenway is finished, some of the new trees that will add color to your walk, run or bike ride include Hackberry, Black Jack Oak, White Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Serviceberry and Eastern Redbud.
685 new shrubs (10 different species!)
As you walk or ride, you will see a variety of shrubs and ornamental grasses including Blue Mountain Juniper, Prairie Dropseed, Little Bluestem, Ninebark and Indian Grass.
10,360 square feet of new native seeded areas
While it will take a little time to grow, you (and the butterflies and bees) will enjoy the Butterfly Milkweed, Blue Wild Indigo, Black-Eyed Susans, Prairie Blazing Star planned for the new native seeded area.
To learn more about the project, click here.