Madison County Transit

MCT TO OPEN LECLAIRE JUNCTION FOR BUS RIDERS AND TRAILGOERS

New MCT Multi-Modal Transit Facility in Edwardsville will Open Monday

GRANITE CITY, ILL., DECEMBER 1, 2011. . . On Monday, December 5, Madison County Transit (MCT) will open “Leclaire Junction,” its new multi-modal bus and bikeway facility in Edwardsville. The $4 million facility located in the historic Leclaire neighborhood on Buchanan/Troy Road, serves as a park and ride lot for the MCT bus system as well as a trailhead and crossing for the 21-mile MCT Nickel Plate Trail, (recently extended 8 miles to Alhambra). The name “Leclaire Junction” was used in the 19th and early 20th century to describe the nearby area, west of Leclaire where multiple railroads intersected. The use of the name at this location acknowledges both the railroad tradition and the Leclaire National Historic District. “Junction” refers to the intersection of multiple MCT bus routes with the MCT Nickel Plate Trail.

The project was paid for using funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Metro East Park & Recreation District (MEPRD), the City of Edwardsville, MCT and a Madison County Trailhead Grant. On Monday, the tunnel, the west lot and the shelters will open. A formal dedication is anticipated for spring 2012. The site includes the following:

Park and ride lots located on the east and west side of Buchanan/Troy Road will be available for use by visitors to the Leclaire Ballfield and the Nelson Campus of Lewis & Clark College when not encumbered by bus passengers or MCT Trail users.
A lighted wheelchair accessible bike/pedestrian tunnel under Buchanan provides a safe and seamless link for MCT Trail users of all ages and a secure way to access the north and southbound buses without crossing traffic. ADA-accessible ramps are also available from the shelters to the tunnel.
Bus pull-off areas on both sides of Buchanan prevent buses from blocking traffic on this busy corridor when passengers are boarding and alighting.
Permanent brick bus shelters, which complement nearby architecture, are lighted and heated.
24-hour video surveillance cameras are located in the lots, shelters, ramps and tunnel for security.

Beginning Monday, Leclaire Junction will be served by the following MCT routes:

#16X Edwardsville Express, providing commuter service to and from St. Louis
#16 Edwardsville – Glen Carbon Shuttle, with service throughout Edwardsville and Glen Carbon
#19 Edwardsville – Collinsville, for service to SIUE, Glen Carbon, Maryville and Collinsville

Since 1993, MCT has acquired former railroad rights of way for corridor preservation and bike trail development. Owning, constructing and maintaining 100 miles of separated Class One bikeways, MCT is one of the only transit systems in the country with an integrated bus and bikeway system, in which trailheads serve as bus stops and fixed-route buses are equipped with bike racks.

“MCT’s Leclaire Junction will improve access to the MCT bus and bikeway systems,” said MCT Managing Director Jerry Kane. “The new location will enhance safety and facilitate seamless bike and bus transfers.” Leclaire Junction will not only serve the Leclaire area, but will also provide transit access to the adjacent N.O. Nelson Campus of Lewis & Clark College, the Historic Leclaire Ballfield, the Edwardsville Children’s Museum, Market Basket and other retail locations.

For details, visit www.mct.org, call 618-931-7433, Option #3 or e-mail info@mct.org.

Madison County Transit (MCT) is the multi-modal transportation provider for Madison County, Illinois, operating fixed-route bus service in Madison County, to MetroLink, and to downtown St. Louis; providing Paratransit service for qualified elderly and disabled residents; offering service to the Rams games and the Muny in Forest Park; constructing and maintaining the MCT Trails, more than 100 miles of scenic bikeways; and overseeing RideFinders, the St. Louis region’s free carpooling and vanpooling ride-match program.