For Central Corridor, LRT brings many pluses

Council Chair Peter Bell

It is difficult not to be impressed by the success of the Hiawatha light rail transit (LRT) line. In its first full year of operation, the line attracted 7.8 million riders, exceeding pre-construction estimates by 58 percent. About 40 percent of these people are new transit riders. Clearly, LRT has the ability to attract customers who would never board a bus.

Not only has ridership exceeded expectations, but LRT also has proven to be a powerful catalyst for development. Over the last five years, more than 5,400 new housing units have been built within walking distance of the Hiawatha line, with another 7,000 units on the drawing boards.

LRT has the potential to be an even bigger success in the Central Corridor. It links five major centers of activity in the region – downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, the Midway area, the state Capitol complex and downtown St. Paul. All told, the corridor contains almost 280,000 jobs, a number that is expected to grow to 345,000 jobs by 2030.

By 2030, we estimate that the 11-mile rail line will attract 43,000 riders per day, a figure that enhanced bus service or bus rapid transit could not hope to deliver. The line not only will offer an attractive new transit option, but it also will help slow the growth in congestion on I-94 between the two downtowns.

In addition, LRT will likely accelerate the redevelopment and revitalization already taking place along University Avenue, creating new housing, jobs and economic opportunity.

As planning proceeds, members of the Metropolitan Council will make every effort to consult with community, business and ethnic groups within the corridor and involve them in the process. We recognize they are concerned about such issues as station location and design, traffic, parking, safety and construction impacts.

However, we will have to balance very legitimate community concerns with the need to control costs, meet federal cost-effectiveness requirements and obtain approval from the Federal Transit Administration to proceed with construction. These are no small hurdles and will probably require trimming some features of the proposed line.

At the end of the day, I cannot promise that every community want and need will be met. But my colleagues and I will make certain everyone is heard and their views are considered.

Peter Bell

June 2006