Routing Central Corridor LRT over new I-35W bridge would cause delays, increase costs, reduce ridership

Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau and Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell have recommended to Gov. Tim Pawlenty that no further study be done on incorporating the Central Corridor light-rail transit (LRT) project into the new Interstate 35W bridge.

A quick assessment on the feasibility of incorporating Central Corridor LRT was needed because of the state’s desire to move forward with the I-35W bridge replacement as expeditiously as possible. The collapsed bridge was a vital transportation artery through Minneapolis, carrying more than 140,000 vehicles a day.

Bell said that while using the I-35W bridge for Central Corridor LRT is not an option, MnDOT engineers are studying the feasibility of making the I-35W bridge "LRT-ready" for possible future use. However, Federal Highway Administration officials say federal emergency bridge replacement funds could not be used to cover any incremental cost and some other funding source would be needed.

In their letter to the governor, Molnau and Bell say adding an LRT line to the new bridge would:

Delay reconstruction of the I-35W bridge for up to two years because adding LRT would trigger new environmental reviews.
Be more costly than keeping the current route over the Washington Avenue bridge even though it will need reinforcement to support LRT because (1) federal funds and environmental waivers that have been granted for the I-35W project are contingent on the new bridge being substantially similar to the bridge being replaced, and (2) costs associated with LRT would not be eligible for the federal emergency funds that have been authorized for the bridge.
Add one-half mile to the Central Corridor route, increasing travel time and probably costs.
Likely decrease ridership because significant West Bank and East Bank boardings would be lost and not offset by new boardings at stations along University Avenue and Fourth Street. When alternative routes were analyzed early this decade, running the LRT line on University and Fourth into Dinkytown was rejected by the Central Corridor Coordinating Committee in March 2001 for the same reason.
Likely eliminate space for a dedicated transit/high occupancy vehicle lane in each direction on the new I-35W bridge.
Not solve the Washington Avenue bridge problems, but would trigger considerable delays and costs for both the new I-35W bridge and Central Corridor LRT Project.

The 11-mile Central Corridor LRT line linking downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis via Washington and University avenues would be the third in a planned network of rail and bus “transitways”’ in the Twin Cities.

The Metropolitan Council and its project partners have begun preliminary engineering on the line, a process that will take about two years. As part of that process, the Council and its partners must bring down the $930 million estimated cost to meet federal cost-effectiveness requirements and secure critical federal funding.

The project timeline calls for construction to begin in 2010, with passenger service beginning in 2014.

The Council is leading the planning, design and construction of the line in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Central Corridor Management Committee, which includes the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis and commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties, provides advice and oversight.

For more information, see the Central Corridor LRT project website.