Bi-State Development purchased the Gateway Arch Riverboats and expanded MetroLink farther into Illinois and central St. Louis County.
In 2001, Metro began operating the St. Clair County MetroLink Extension from 5th & Missouri in East St. Louis to Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, IL. In 2003, MetroLink service extended further east to the Shiloh-Scott MetroLink Station, and in 2006, the Cross County MetroLink Extension opened with service into mid-St. Louis County from the Forest Park-DeBaliviere Station to the Shrewsbury Station.