Projects & Planning

Great transit systems make great cities. 

Transit systems connect people to jobs, education, healthcare, and their community. As the transit district for the Illinois Quad Cities, MetroLINK has a vision and a plan to continue building our region. Learn more about MetroLINK's Strategic Plan. 

Ongoing Projects

Section 106 Public Outreach: Replacement of Village of East Davenport Ferryboat Dock

MetroLINK in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is planning to replace the Village of East Davenport Ferryboat Dock. The FTA Region VII office is considering providing grant assistance with federal funds for the above project. In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1996, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470f) and its implementing regulation, 3 CFR Part 800, the FTA is initiating consultation with the IA State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), interested parties and the public for this project. For more information on the Section 106 Consultation Process, the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation (ACHP) document “A Citizen’s Guide to Section 106” can be found at this link: https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017-01/CitizenGuide.pdf

MetroLINK will replace the Village of East Davenport Ferryboat Dock with a 65’ long by 6’ wide aluminum gangway that will span from a fixed landside hinge to a floating dock platform. The 32’ by 16’ floating dock platform will provide access to Channel Cat passenger ferryboat services only (not open to transient boaters or public use). The floating dock provides two approach paths for the ferries given varying wind and river conditions. The floating dock will be anchored on eight concrete filled steel pipes anchored in competent rock of river bottom. There will also be an upgraded jetty/pedestrian walkway which will be a 160’ long by 6’ wide reinforced concrete path with guardrail and will be constructed from the top of the existing seawall/Channel Cat access in Lindsay Park to provide ADA accessibility to the new ferryboat terminal. To construct the proposed path, the existing path will be removed and the existing rock jetty reestablished and raised (2.5’+/- max) with riprap armoring. The current dock is aging and silt buildup over the years has limited its use due to shallow river conditions. Additionally, the dock space lacks ADA and security amenities such as railings and sufficient lighting.

MetroLINK is soliciting public comments through October 19, 2023 on any impacts the proposed project may have on surrounding historic, cultural or archeological sites. Comments may be provided via email at [email protected] or to Lucie VanHecke at 309-786-3788.

Section 106 Public Outreach: Phase II of John Deere Commons Ferryboat Terminal

MetroLINK in coordination with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is planning to reconstruct an existing sidewalk north of River Drive on 15th Street as well as connect the John Deere Commons Ferryboat Terminal to the Great River Trail along the north side of the Vibrant Arena in what is being called Phase II of the John Deere Commons Ferryboat Terminal Project. The FTA Region VII office is considering providing grant assistance with federal funds for the above project. In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1996, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470f) and its implementing regulation, 3 CFR Part 800, the FTA is initiating consultation with the IL State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), interested parties and the public for this project. For more information on the Section 106 Consultation Process, the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation (ACHP) document “A Citizen’s Guide to Section 106” can be found at this link: https://www.achp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017-01/CitizenGuide.pdf

MetroLINK will reconstruct the existing sidewalk north of River Drive on 15th Street in Moline to provide ADA accessibility to the John Deere Commons Ferryboat Terminal from Moline Centre. This will require and estimated average excavation depth of one foot and a max excavation depth of 1.5 feet with an estimated soil disruption area of 1,650 square feet. MetroLINK is also connecting the Great River Trail bike path to the John Deere Commons Ferryboat Terminal along the north side of the Vibrant Arena as it is not ADA accessible or safe in its current location. This will require an estimated average excavation depth of 1 foot with a max excavation depth of 2 feet and an estimated soil disruption area of 10,800 square feet.

MetroLINK is soliciting public comments through October 19, 2023 on any impacts the proposed project may have on surrounding historic, cultural or archeological sites. Comments may be provided via email at [email protected] or to Lucie VanHecke at 309-786-3788.

John Deere Commons Ferry Terminal

In mid-2018, MetroLINK was awarded Federal Transit Administration (FTA) discretionary ferry boat program funding for its Channel Cat program. The grant includes replacement of an existing dock at the John Deere Commons landing in Moline, Illinois in an effort to increase safety and security, enhance Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, expand docking space, and provide new passenger amenities. In addition, the project will include the repowering of MetroLINK's three ferryboat vessels, the purchase and installation of safety and security surveillance equipment, and fully implementing mobile ticketing services for ferryboat passengers. Environmental work is currently underway, and construction is expected in 2019-2020. 

Channel Cat Photo 2

The Q Multi-Modal Station

The "Q" Multi-Modal Station is a mixed-use, public-private station to serve future passenger rail service and enhance intermodal connectivity in the Quad Cities. The project involved the adaptive reuse of the O'Rourke Building, a six-story historic structure at 12th Street and 4th Avenue in downtown Moline that was built in 1917 as a Sears warehouse.

Major station improvements include common space waiting areas for rail passengers, real-time information signage, restrooms, and a grand passenger hall.  Exterior project elements include a soon-to-be-constructed rail platform, a pedestrian plaza capable of hosting a range of community events, rail passenger parking, and connections to Centre Station, MetroLINK's signature transportation center serving fixed-route and intercity bus. 
Multi-Modal Station Rendering
In addition to station-related development, the City of Moline selected the Amin Group of Belmont, California as the private developer for the project. The Amin Group brings a unique mix of public-private development to the site, including an extended-stay hotel on the upper floors of the O'Rourke Building and in a new east addition, as well as hotel, restaurant, and retail space surrounding the Station areas of the first floor. The hotel opened in March 2018, and the first retail tenants opened in Spring 2019.  Completion of the rail platform and canopies, and initiation of passenger rail service, is currently pending final rail corridor design by the Illinois Department of Transportation. 

Past Projects

Electric Bus Program

Since 2002, Metro has been a leader in alternative fuel technology, operating a mixed fleet of fixed-route buses powered by compressed natural gas or clean-burning diesel fuels. In Spring 2018, the agency deployed its first three (3) all electric buses. Five (5) additional buses were delivered in Spring 2019. Learn more.

Proterra Catalyst Image - Front

Moline Riverbend Commons Ferryboat Terminal

In 2016, MetroLINK completed construction on a new Moline ferryboat terminal to serve the Channel Cat passenger ferryboat service. The terminal, known as the Riverbend Commons Landing, is located near the 3200 block of River Drive. The project provides passenger amenities such as enhanced Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) features, lighting, real-time signage, and a pedestrian bridge connecting the new dock with rider parking. The new terminal also enables MetroLINK to better operate and maintain its vessels by providing expanded docking space and  necessary maintenance and storage functions for Channel Cat boats.
Channel Cat RB Commons Dock Photo
SouthPark Mega Stop
Thanks to a community partnership with Macerich Companies, MetroLINK completed construction of a Mega Stop at SouthPark Mall in Moline in late 2015. The project created an improved way for employees and shoppers to connect directly with the "front door" of SouthPark, with a 3,400 square-foot covered platform designed to accommodate 4 buses. Real-time signage, lighting, landscaping, and seating round out the Mega Stop. Additional investment in access roads that were designed to support bus traffic was also included as part of the project. 
SouthPark
Metro Operations & Maintenance Center
More than 10 years ago Metro began the planning process to design and construct a state-of-the-art Operations and Maintenance Center that would be environmentally responsible, sustainable, and support the ultimate in human potential and mechanical efficiency. 

The 150,000 square-foot facility was completed in Spring 2014, and is comprised of 4 distinct building types including an operations corridor, a bus maintenance building, a storage area, and fueling bays.

The facility was designed to USGBC LEED Certification standards and includes energy efficiency and sustainability features such as: 
  • An energy recovery system that captures heat or cooled energy to eliminate the power needed to change the building's air temperature to inside levels;
  • Solar arrays that supply the majority of the facility's electrical power and hot water needs;
  • A water reclamation system that filters water used in the facility's bus wash for reuse; and
  • An indoor Compressed Natural Gas fueling station to support Metro's fleet of alternative fuel buses.
OMC Front Desk
District Station
District Station, which opened in early 2014, replaced Metro's on-street transfer site in downtown Rock Island. The project was part of a larger transit-oriented development block located at 20th Street and 2nd Avenue. The development complements "The Locks," a 34-unit housing development that supports downtown Rock Island's need for market-driven, live-work housing and supports the Federal Transit Administration's Livability Communities Initiative.  

District Station provides 2,000 square-feet of interior passenger waiting area with restrooms, an information kiosk, and a monitor displaying next bus arrival information. Ten exterior bus bays with canopies are designed for easy pull-in and pull-out, and each is equipped with real-time signage. Over 2,000 riders transfer at District Station on a daily basis. In December 2017, MetroLINK announced that District Station had achieved USGBC LEED Gold Certification. 
DistrictStation