Established in 1949 through an interstate compact between Missouri and Illinois, ratified by the U.S. Congress and signed by ... President Harry S. Truman in 1950, Bi-State Development was created to serve and enrich the region. Fulfilling that mission, our rich history includes planning interstate highways, operating a power plant, and reducing pollution in the Mississippi River. We have the longest-standing partnership with the National Parks Service, and made possible the trams that take you to the top of the Gateway Arch. Today, Bi-State Development continues to be a dynamic and multi-faceted resource for economic development in the St. Louis region. We are leaders in public transit – world renowned for our reliability and efficiency. Our St. Louis Downtown Airport and its surrounding business park deliver millions of dollars in economic impact to southern Illinois. More recently, regional leaders chose Bi-State Development to run a regional freight district; coordinating with industry and government to enhance and grow the $6 billion in goods traveling through our area by rail, road, river, and runway. The iconic Eads Bridge is among transit-related infrastructure in our care. We’re also a key partner with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation – formerly the CityArchRiver Foundation – in current Gateway Arch improvements that will transform the visitor experience, not only at the Gateway Arch, but also on the St. Louis riverfront and in downtown St. Louis. read more