Emerson Park station (MetroLink)
| Company type | Light rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | East St. Louis , United States |
| Products | MetroLink light rail service, MetroBus, Madison County Transit connections |
| Owner | Bi-State Development |
| Parent | Metro Transit |
| Website | www |
Emerson Park station functions as a light rail stop on both the Red and Blue routes within the St. Louis MetroLink network. Situated at the intersection of 15th Street and Bowman Avenue in East St. Louis, Illinois, this ground-level facility is under the ownership of Bi-State Development and managed by Metro Transit.
Serving as a significant interchange hub, Emerson Park connects passengers to both MetroBus and Madison County Transit services. The station provides 841 parking spaces for park-and-ride users alongside 10 bus bays to facilitate seamless multimodal transfers. It features a single island platform accommodating two tracks, complemented by bicycle racks and full compliance with accessibility standards.
To improve pedestrian access, a footbridge spans over nearby Interstate 64, linking the station to adjacent neighborhoods in East St. Louis and promoting efficient commuter movement within the regional transit system. In 2018, Emerson Park recorded an average daily boardings figure of 1,094 riders, placing it 15th out of the 38 stations in the MetroLink system.
History
Adjacent to the station, the transit-oriented development Jazz at Walter Circle was inaugurated in 2014. This mixed-use complex comprises 74 residential units and encompasses more than 100,000 square feet of space, including a full-service grocery store.
In 2021, enhancements were made to the area between the bus bays and MetroLink entrance featuring a lively jazz-inspired design theme. The upgrades introduced communal seating areas, landscaping elements, shaded benches, protective canopies, and a mural created from designs submitted by students from East St. Louis High School. This initiative marked the second "Transit Stop Transformation" project and was launched on August 23, 2021 through collaboration among Citizens for Modern Transit, AARP in St. Louis, Metro Transit, and local partners.
A $13.5 million contract was awarded in 2022 by the St. Clair County Transit District for constructing a new public safety facility at Emerson Park station. Officially opened on July 11, 2024, this center accommodates St. Clair County sheriff deputies, serves as a backup control center for Metro Transit operations, houses the St. Clair County CENCOM West 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Center, and provides restroom facilities for transit users.
Station layout
Access to the island platform is provided by a single ramp located at its western end, connecting directly to Bowman Avenue and the bus boarding zone. Just east of the station lies a pocket track that allows certain trains to reverse direction while others continue along their route.
Bus connections
Emerson Park station offers connections to both MetroBus and regional Madison County Transit services:
MetroBus
- 06 Rosemont
- 08 Alta Sita
- 09 Washington Park
Madison County Transit
- 05 Tri-City Regional
- 18 Collinsville Regional
- 20X Gateway Commerce Center Express