A new Metrolink station at Cortex will provide a new, convenient transportation option for the thousands of employees and visitors in the central corridor of St. Louis where parking is at a premium.

The new station will also connect riders to the future Chouteau Greenway, the planned 5 mile biking, running and walking path that will be built between between Boyle and Sarah Avenues and stretches from Forest Park to the newly opened Gateway Arch Park.

The 38th MetroLink station marks the first new expansion to the public light rail line in 10 years.

It also represents the first Metro Transit project to be constructed using public and private funding, and backed by a $10.3 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. An additional $5 million was raised by the Cortex Innovation Community, Great Rivers Greenway, Washington University, BJC HealthCare and the City of St. Louis/St. Louis Development Corporation.

The official opening ceremony will include food trucks, music, performers from Circus Harmony, as well as Fredbird and Louie from the St. Louis Blues. Local project partners, organizations and nonprofits including will be on hand to share information and offer giveaways.

The ceremony will be Tuesday July 31st 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Cortex Commons; outside @4240 on Duncan Ave. The stop will be opened for normal use in the morning for those planning to MetroLink to the festivities. Bi-State estimates that more than 600 people may use the stop that day.

This month also marked the groundbreaking on the Aloft Hotel construction slated for completion in Fall of 2019.