Project moves to environmental review
The region's first modern streetcar line is one step closer to reality following today’s vote by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners to endorse modern streetcar vehicles running primarily on State Highway 5 (West 7th Street) in the Riverview transit corridor.
“After years of community conversations, detailed technical study and careful deliberation, we affirm our commitment today to complete the connection of the region's top three economic activity centers with rail transit,” said Ramsey County commissioner and chair of the Riverview Policy Advisory Committee, Rafael Ortega. "We thank our many partners, businesses and community members for contributing to this process and helping us pass this milestone."
The Riverview Corridor is a 12-mile transportation connection between downtown Saint Paul, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America in Bloomington and neighborhoods between. The planned line includes use of existing METRO Green Line light-rail infrastructure at Union Depot and in downtown Saint Paul and existing METRO Blue Line infrastructure south of the Mississippi River beginning at Fort Snelling. Nine new stations are planned along State Highway 5. Modern streetcar vehicles can operate in mixed traffic with automobiles on light-rail track, but stations and trains have a smaller operating footprint. Schedules would complement those of METRO Green and Blue lines.
“A robust transit network is essential for the entire Twin Cities region to remain competitive with our national peers,” said Ramsey County board chair Jim McDonough. “Modern streetcar provides the right balance of capacity and size, high level of service, and long-term growth opportunity to best connect travelers, employees, and visitors to businesses, destinations and travel connections throughout the historic Riverview corridor.”
Hennepin County, the cities of Saint Paul and Bloomington, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission have all passed resolutions of support of the proposed modern streetcar route (formally known as the Locally Preferred Alternative). Project staff will now begin the process of environmental review, design and engineering. Construction of the line could begin as soon as 2028. It is expected to cost $1.4 - $2 billion (inflation-adjusted), with daily ridership projected at 20,400 by the year 2040.
> View a route map
> View a video of modern streetcar
Contact:
John Siqveland, Public Communications Director, 651-746-9250
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