Committee backs $ federal-backed Cass Avenue multimodal corridor, signal upgrades and Christie Greenway extension

St. Louis City’s Public Infrastructure and Utilities Committee on Oct. 29 recommended passage of Board Bill 89, an ordinance that advances three federally funded capital projects across the city: the Cass Avenue multimodal corridor Phase 1, Traffic Management Enhancement Phase 9 on Skinker and McCausland (with a piece on Arsenal), and Christie Greenway Phase 2.

John Kohler, a representative of the Board of Public Service, told the committee the projects are “all 3 associated with federal funding that's administered through our municipal planning organization, East West Gateway Council of Governments.” He described the Cass Avenue work as roughly 1.25 miles from Elliot to Tucker and said it will include lane reductions, new lighting and “a dedicated shared use multi use path on the north side all along the route.”

Kohler said the Traffic Management Enhancement Phase 9 project will rebuild 21 traffic signals along Skinker and McCausland (from Page to Canterbury) and add a segment on Arsenal connecting signals from McCausland to Ivanhoe. The project will include traffic camera monitors, fiber‑optic interconnection to the city’s transportation management center, signal optimization to reduce congestion and emissions, and curb‑ramp upgrades at every signalized intersection to improve accessibility.

Christie Greenway Phase 2 was described as about 1 mile extending Christie from Holly Hills up to the new traffic signal installed under the ARPA‑funded Kings Highway project. Kohler said that phase will “incorporate a raised separated multi use path all along this section, crossing Gravois and other intersections along the route.”

Committee members focused questions on funding and timing. Kohler explained the grants are competitive and administered by East‑West Gateway and said the projects generally follow an 80% federal / 20% local funding model, though he noted caps and exceptions: “generally speaking, the max federal amounts that are tied to these projects are 80–20% locally provided funds,” and for large projects the city is subject to regional funding caps. He said the city is using National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency (NGA) bonds and city capital to cover larger local shares for Cass and that the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) award for Christie does not pay for paving, so aldermanic paving contributions will likely be needed.

On schedule, Kohler told the committee federally funded projects typically require multiple years of processing: “generally speaking, it takes, on average, 5 to 7 years between the time that we submit an application to when the project's complete.” He said timelines can be longer for complex right‑of‑way or major bridge work.

Committee members expressed support for the projects’ safety and accessibility goals. Chair Browning moved for a due‑pass recommendation; the roll call recorded five ayes and the bill passed out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.

Actions Board Bill 89 — motion: “Pass board bill 89 with a due pass recommendation.” Mover: not specified in the record. Second: not specified in the record. Vote record: Alderwoman Boyd — aye; Alderman Clark Hubbard — aye; Vice Chair Schweitzer — aye; Alderman Devote — aye; Alderwoman Cox Antoine — aye. Tally: yes 5, no 0. Outcome: approved. Notes: Bill bundles three federally funded projects (Cass multimodal corridor, Traffic Management Enhancement Phase 9, Christie Greenway Phase 2); includes local match sources (NGA bonds, city capital) and identifies future city capital needs for later years for signal project design/construction.

Why this matters The projects are intended to add multimodal connections, improve traffic signal operations and accessibility, and extend a separated multi‑use path — investments tied to federal grant awards and local matching commitments. The committee’s approval forwards the ordinance to the full body for further consideration.