County, local communities endorse Rush Line bus
rapid transit
Project moves to environmental review
Rush Line bus rapid
transit (BRT) is one step closer to reality, following today’s vote by the
Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority to endorse the route and vehicle type,
formally known as the locally preferred alternative.
“The East Metro deserves a robust transit system. The
Rush Line bus rapid transit route moves us one step closer to providing residents
and businesses with quality transit service that will provide access to
opportunity and mobility for all,” said Ramsey County Regional Railroad
Authority Chairman Rafael Ortega.
The cities of Saint Paul,
Maplewood, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake and White Bear Township
have all passed resolutions of support for the route and vehicle type. The
Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority also held a public hearing on August
22, 2017, where community members shared comments. The estimated $420 million
project will now begin the process of environmental review, design and
engineering. Construction of the line could begin as soon as 2023.
“Determining the Rush Line route and vehicle
type involved significant technical analysis and public input,” said Rush Line
Corridor Task Force Chairwoman Victoria Reinhardt. “We’ll continue actively
engaging our communities to ensure this project benefits everyone along the
route.”
The 14-mile bus rapid
transit route would run along Robert Street, Phalen Boulevard, Ramsey County
Regional Railroad Authority right-of-way alongside the Bruce Vento Trail and
Highway 61. Most of the route will consist of dedicated bus-only lanes. More
than 60,000 people live near the line’s station areas which are located at job
and activity centers, including an emerging health corridor of 17 medical
centers (Regions, St. John’s and Bethesda hospitals; Gillette Children’s,
HealthPartners, HealthEast and Allina clinics), and economic development nodes
and transportation hubs (Union Depot and the Maplewood Mall Transit Center and
Park & Ride).
Service between the
line’s 20 stations is proposed with hybrid-electric buses running every 10
minutes during peak traffic periods and every 15 minutes from early morning
until midnight every day of the week. Most of the route will run on dedicated
bus-only lanes.
> View
a route map
Contacts:
Rafael
Ortega, Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority Chairman: 651-866-8361
Victoria Reinhardt,
Rush Line Corridor Task Force Chairwoman: 651-266-8363
Andy Gitzlaff, Rush Line Project Manager: 651-266-2772
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