The Woodson Road Airport Connection Project is a proposed effort to directly link Woodson Road to St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Use this site to learn more about the project and find helpful links to our Virtual Town Hall, project study documents and community survey.
WORKING DEFINITION
Find answers to what, when, where, why, and how the Woodson Road Airport Connection Project will affect you.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Read or download the results of our preliminary study.
COMMUNITY SURVEY
See the results of the Community Survey here!
TOWN HALL
Get important links and information about our upcoming town hall meeting.
PROJECT RENDERINGS
See what the Woodson Road Airport Connection will look like.
WHAT'S NEXT
Discover the necessary steps to make the Woodson Road Airport Connection a reality.
WORKING DEFINITION
WHAT
The Woodson Road Airport Connection Project will directly link Woodson Road to St. Louis Lambert International Airport and the Bi-State MetroLink Terminal 2 Station. The Project also will include improvements to public road, bike and pedestrian infrastructure within the Woodson Road and Natural Bridge Road corridors.
WHEN
Initial efforts by the City of Woodson Terrace have determined that the Project is feasible from a preliminary engineering standpoint, and the City has begun discussions with public agencies whose approval is necessary to “green light”, and fund, the Project. A timeline for completion of the Project’s final engineering and its construction will be completed once the Project is approved by these various agencies, and their commitment to funding the Project is secured.
WHERE
The Project will occur along Woodson Road, commencing at Bataan Road (on the south) and extending to Natural Bridge Road (on the north), then under a reconstructed and elevated I-70, to intersect with Lambert International Boulevard at Terminal 2 of St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
WHY
The Woodson Road Airport Connection Project will address a number of issues critical to the overall economic health and social well-being of the City and the region, including:
- Allowing enhanced, direct access for residents of communities in the “Near North County” market, and north St. Louis City, to the 6,000 jobs at the Airport;
- Providing needed public improvements to support private investment in development and redevelopment within the Woodson Road, Natural Bridge Road, and St. Charles Rock Road corridors;
- Reconstructing an aging portion of I-70, identified as a “priority corridor for improvement” by the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Planning and Environmental Linkage study;
- Making trips easier, faster, shorter and safer for businesses (particularly hotels, rental car agencies and parking facilities) needing to shuttle their patrons to and from the Airport;
- Enabling access to public transit directly from Woodson Road;
- Facilitating additional linkage to the Airport’s MetroLink Station at Terminal 2;
- Enhancing, and making safer, bicycle and pedestrian pathways along Woodson Road, including access to and from the Airport;
- Creating a welcoming entry point for visitors to the Gateway region.
- Making the City a “destination”, directly accessible from one of the region’s major economic development engines
HOW
The Project will involve:
- Continuing the City’s discussions with approving and funding agencies at the federal, regional, state, county and municipal level in order to secure both Project approval, and monies to complete engineering and construction of the Project.
- Reconstruction of this section of I-70 so that it is raised by approximately 18 feet over its current elevation;
- Construction of Woodson Road north, under the elevated portion of I-70, so that Woodson Road intersects Lambert International Boulevard, leading directly into the Airport’s Terminal 2.
- Construction of a roundabout at the current intersection of Woodson Road and Natural Bridge Road;
- Redevelopment of Woodson Road, from Natural Bridge Road to Bataan Drive, as a 3-lane roadway providing enhanced vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access to the properties adjacent to Woodson Road;
- Construction of roadway roundabouts along Woodson Road at Aero Space Drive, Guthrie Avenue and Bataan Drive in order to create and support nodes of private reinvestment.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Study area and project limits
STUDY PURPOSE
In 2011, the City of Woodson Terrace adopted its Comprehensive Plan to guide growth, private development, and investments in public infrastructure that would result in a more distinct, resilient and family-friendly City. The Plan recommended the City explore the feasibility of extending Woodson Road across Interstate 70 (I-70) to connect with Lambert International Boulevard and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (“the Airport”). This potential connection would then provide significant benefit to Woodson Terrace by enhancing business development opportunities within the underutilized Woodson Road and Natural Bridge corridors, allowing much-needed access to public transit along Woodson Road, and enabling the creation of a multi-modal transportation network (public transit, pedestrian, bicycle and automobile) to serve the City.
PRIMARY FINDING
The analysis of the priority considerations defined by the City for this Study demonstrates that connecting Woodson Road to the Airport is feasible, and the preferred option to accomplish this is to raise the current elevation of I-70 and extend Woodson Road north, under the Interstate, to directly connect to the Airport. This design will not only have a significant beneficial impact on the Woodson Road corridor, but will enhance neighboring communities in North St. Louis County by providing multi-modal connectivity and improved traffic circulation to the Airport. Also, and critical to the feasibility of this connection to the Airport, is that this preferred design alternative will make much-needed safety improvements to I-70 and maintain Interstate access as it exists between Air Flight Drive and Natural Bridge Road.
CONCEPTUAL ALTERNATIVES
The Conceptual Alternatives for both the Woodson Road Airport Connection and the Woodson Road Corridor, include, respectively:
THE WOODSON ROAD AIRPORT CONNECTION CONCEPTUAL ALTERNATIVES
- Pedestrian & Bicycle Suspension Bridge Crossing
- Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge Crossing
- Pedestrian & Bicycle Undercrossing
- Woodson Road Underpass
THE WOODSON ROAD CORRIDOR CONCEPTUAL ALTERNATIVES
The Woodson Road Corridor is divided into three separate Elements, each with Conceptual Alternatives. The distinct Elements of the Corridor are:
ROADWAY CONFIGURATION STEPS
Conceptual Alternatives
- Boulevard
- Three-Lane Roadway
ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL MODES ELEMENT
Conceptual Alternatives
- Side Path
- Two-Way Protected Bike Lane
- Directional Protected Bike Lanes
CORRIDOR CONNECTION ELEMENT
Conceptual Alternatives
- Boulevard
- Three-Lane Roadway
- Nodal Emphasis
EVALUATION METHODOLOGY
The evaluation of the Conceptual Alternatives identified unique opportunities, benefits, challenges, and other considerations that were carefully measured to arrive at the Preferred Alternative for both the Woodson Road Airport Connection, and the Woodson Road Corridor. In order to do so, the Study utilized a quantitative evaluation methodology that applied a numeric scale to each evaluation criterion, and grouped these criteria and scores into three overarching evaluation categories: Feasibility, Connectivity, and Positive Impacts.
This methodology, and resulting results, allow for the comparison of the Conceptual Alternatives and ultimately the recommendation of a Preferred Alternative for the Woodson Road Airport Connection, as well as the Woodson Road Corridor.
WOODSON ROAD AIRPORT CONNECTION
The evaluation of the four Conceptual Alternatives for the Woodson Road Airport Connection results in a clear demonstration of the Woodson Road Underpass as the Preferred Alternative (Figures PA-1 and PA-2). This Alternative performs the best of the Alternatives reviewed in all three evaluation categories, and its value is found, particularly, in its performance on both “Connectivity” and “Positive Impacts”. The Preferred Alternative supports existing plans (including the City’s Comprehensive Plan, as well as the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Planning and Environmental Linkage and the Gateway Bike Plan), gives direct access to the Airport and Metrolink, improves vehicular, public transit, pedestrian and bicycle circulation and safety to and from the Airport, and specifically enhances opportunities for redevelopment within the Woodson Road and Natural Bridge corridors. The Preferred Alternative also promotes additional economic development opportunities in adjacent communities, and provides a positive experience for users of the Airport, a gateway to the St. Louis metropolitan area.
WOODSON ROAD CORRIDOR
The Preferred Alternative for the Woodson Road Corridor is comprised of the best performing Conceptual Alternative for each project Element: Roadway Reconfiguration, Alternative Travel Modes, and Corridor Development.
The Preferred Alternative consists of a three-lane roadway configuration with directional separated bike lanes, sidewalks, and focused nodal development at distinct locations along the Corridor, all of which support the Town Center concept identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
RECENT STEPS
Having identified the Preferred Alternatives for the connection of Woodson Road to the Airport, and reconfiguration of Woodson Road, the City has met with key stakeholders to review the Study’s methodology and discuss the Preferred Alternatives. The City’s outreach included meeting with:
- Missouri Department of Transportation
- St. Louis Lambert International Airport
- St. Louis County
- St. Louis City
- East West Gateway Coordinating Council
- St. Louis County Port Authority
- St. Louis Economic Development Partnership
- Great Rivers Greenway
- Mayors of adjacent municipalities
- Representatives of the hotel, auto rental and parking facility businesses in close proximity to the City.
From each of these meetings, the City receive positive feedback and general support for the Preferred Alternatives for both the Woodson Road Airport Connection and the Woodson Road Corridor.
NEXT STEPS
Additional engineering of the Preferred Alternatives will be pursued to address specific questions stakeholders identified, as well as provide the detail necessary for successful grant applications and participation in a variety of federal, state and local funding programs.
As further stakeholder engagement, and robust public input, are critical to the success of the Woodson Road Airport Connection and the Woodson Road Corridor, the City will prioritize both such efforts as it pursues finalizing design and funding of the Preferred Alternatives.
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE - WOODSON ROAD AIRPORT CONNECTION
Woodson Road Undercrossing Alternative, the preferred Interstate 70 crossing option.
Woodson Road Undercrossing Alternative, preferred Interstate 70 profile.
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE - WOODSON ROAD CORRIDOR
Recommended Corridor Design Concept Cross Section
Three-Lane Roadway with Parallel Parking on Both sides
Directional Protected Bike Lanes on Both sides
Nodal Emphasis Development Concept
COMMUNITY SURVEY
The City of Woodson Terrace, Elected Officials and the project team want to hear your thoughts regarding the Woodson Road Airport Connection/Corridor Study. Click the "Project Summary" button to see more detail on the study, as well as copy of the full study. We understand that some residents prefer electronic surveys and other residents will want to fill out the survey out by hand. We are providing both options below; one will take you to a Survey Monkey electronic survey, the second will be a PDF document you can print out.
In addition, you will have received a newsletter on the study, which includes a copy of the survey, that you can fill out and drop off at City Hall. Please use the format you find most comfortable and appealing!
Thank you!
TOWN HALL
Please click on the YouTube link below to view a copy of the virtual town hall presentation and Q/A.
In an effort to provide attendees the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered during the town hall, you will be able to type your questions and a facilitator will post the questions to the project team. If your question is not answered during the meeting, it will be documented, answered, and posted on this page following the meeting.
Before, during and after the townhall, we ask that you take the survey on the "Community Survey" page. You can take the survey online, or fill out the survey by hand and drop it off at City Hall during normal business hours.
The presentation will be streamed on YouTube and will be live on November 24, 2020 starting at 4pm. Please click on the icon below to join the Town Hall.
VIRTUAL TOWN HALL SLIDES
If you want to follow along with the slides at home:
PROJECT RENDERS
WOODSON ROAD AT NATURAL BRIDGE LOOKING NORTHEAST
Existing
Proposed
WOODSON ROAD AT NATURAL BRIDGE LOOKING NORTHEAST – EYE LEVEL
Existing
Proposed
EXISTING LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL BLVD. SIGNAL FOR TERMINAL 2
PARKING GARAGE – LOOKING SOUTHEAST
Existing
Proposed
EYE LEVEL VIEW OF NATURAL BRIDGE AT WOODSON ROAD LOOKING WEST
Existing
Proposed
WOODSON ROAD AT ST. WILLIAMS COURT LOOKING SOUTHEAST
Existing
Proposed
WHAT'S NEXT
We are excited about the next phase of the Project that will allow us to work with opportunities we anticipate will be presented as local, State, regional and Federal decisionmakers work with local communities, citizens and business to pursue economic recovery and resilience.
Specifically, the Project has some immediate needs to undertake additional conceptual engineering and traffic analysis for the airport connection. There are also incremental steps that are possible for roadway improvements, and alignment with ongoing studies and reviews underway at St. Louis Lambert Airport, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, Metro and the Missouri Department of Transportation – as well as Federal level legislation to address economic recovery next year – that we believe align well with the Project.
The essential and ongoing process of community engagement will help to refine the concept and implementation plans for the Project.
Woodson Road Airport Connection
- Identify and coordinate funding
- Add geometric details for Airport Connection
- Perform economic and traffic analysis
- Secure funding and priorities with stakeholders
- Identify implementation schedule
- Construct the Project
Woodson Road Corridor
- Identify and coordinate funding.
- Coordinate Woodson Road ownership with MoDOT.
- Develop conceptual corridor plan.
- Engage residents and stakeholders.
- Finalize corridor plan.
- Coordinate development in the corridor.
- Construct the project.