Terminal Railroad Association agrees to relocate track for proposed NFL stadium in St. Louis

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon yesterday announced several steps that would be necessary to redevelop the north riverfront area of downtown St. Louis as the site of a new NFL stadium.

The steps include agreements by the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis (TRRA) and Ameren to relocate infrastructure to accommodate stadium construction. TRRA — which provides freight-rail services and hosts Amtrak trains on lines running through the proposed stadium site — would relocate its tracks west of the area.

"For over 125 years, the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis has helped move St. Louis' economy forward, and we are proud to help open another exciting chapter in this region's history," said TRRA President Mike McCarthy in a press release. "Accommodating the stadium would require significant but manageable changes to the existing track layout, so it is certainly something that can be accomplished at a reasonable cost in the relevant timeframe."

Ameren would relocate two transmission towers and power lines that feed the north riverfront substation, requiring the construction of new towers on both the east and west sides of the river.

"This is a historic opportunity to bring hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment to this area, build an iconic stadium that will stand the test of time, and transform these deserted streets into a thriving destination for residents, workers, tourists and football fans," Nixon said.

The track and power transmission infrastructure would only be relocated "if and when" a stadium financing plan is finalized and the project moves forward, the governor said.