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Comment period open today through June 25
The Rush Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project reached a major milestone with the publication today of the Environmental Assessment. The Environmental Assessment documents the project’s potential transportation, social, and environmental benefits and impacts; identifies mitigation strategies for anticipated impacts; and satisfies the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and Minnesota Environmental Policy Act. It is the culmination of three years of planning, design, environmental review, and community engagement led by Ramsey County in collaboration with local and federal partners.
Watch a two-minute video about the Rush Line Environmental Assessment
Ramsey County and the Federal Transit Administration invite individuals and organizations to review and comment on the Environmental Assessment as well as a memorandum of agreement document that describes resolutions to potential adverse effects related to historic resources along the route (commonly called the “Section 106” process).
 Ramsey County will host three open houses to share information about the Environmental Assessment and collect public comments:
Online open houses (register at rushline.org).
- Wednesday, June 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 3 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
In-person open house. This event will follow Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 guidelines.
- Thursday, June 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Union Depot
(214 4th Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101).
The 45-day public comment period begins today and concludes on June 25, 2021. The Environmental Assessment and Section 106 documents are available for review at rushline.org and at the Ramsey County Law Library, East Side Enterprise Center, Ramsey County Library – Maplewood, Vadnais Heights City Hall, Gem Lake City Hall, and Ramsey County Library – White Bear Lake during regular business hours. Location addresses are available at rushline.org.
Comments can be submitted online at rushline.org, via email (info@rushline.org) or via mail to:
Andy Gitzlaff, Senior Transportation Planner
Ramsey County
15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Suite 210 Courthouse
Saint Paul, MN 55102
The Federal Transit Administration and Ramsey County will review all comments. Substantive comments will be responded to in the environmental decision document issued after the public comment period concludes. The Rush Line BRT Project is currently led by Ramsey County and will transition to the Metropolitan Council in late 2021 for final design, construction, and operation. Construction is expected to begin in 2024.
As part of the regional METRO system, Rush Line BRT will connect people to jobs, housing, transportation hubs, and key destinations such as Union Depot, downtown Saint Paul, Hmong Village, Phalen Regional Park, Maplewood Mall and downtown White Bear Lake. The route provides access to 50 medical clinics and hospitals along the route, including Regions Hospital and HealthPartners Specialty Center.
“This project is a vital link for residents and workers in Downtown Saint Paul, Saint Paul’s East Side, Maplewood, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt. "Rush Line will provide a safe, clean and quiet all-day transportation connection to jobs, businesses and shopping, as well as dozens of medical facilities, cultural and recreational resources and more. We encourage all residents and stakeholders to review the Environmental Assessment and provide feedback on this key project document.”
Over the past three years, project staff have connected with more than 3,400 community members at community events, pop-up meetings, open houses, virtual events and through a variety of other forums. The Environmental Assessment was prepared in collaboration between Ramsey County and the five cities the project will serve, as well as the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office.
“Rush Line BRT is a major investment in mobility for the northeast metro,” said Saint Paul City Council member Nelsie Yang. “It will greatly improve access to jobs and other opportunities for residents along the route, advance equity and bring economic development benefits to the communities and businesses it will serve. Rush Line BRT is a critical part of ensuring the northeast metro has access to our region’s transit system.”
Additional Resources:
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