Big decisions ahead on Central Corridor

Council Chair

Peter Bell

Without great fanfare, the Metropolitan Council is making progress in planning one of the most significant transportation improvements in our region’s history – the Central Corridor light-rail transit (LRT) line.

The Council has opened a project office within the corridor, hired key staff and retained a consulting firm to assist with preliminary engineering, which must be completed by the end of next year.

In the coming months, the Council will face some important decisions as we work to reduce the cost of the project, meet federal cost-effectiveness index (CEI) requirements and win federal funding critical for construction of the 11-mile line linking our two downtowns.

As originally proposed, the project would cost about $932 million. We believe we must reduce the cost to the low- to mid-$800 million level in order to meet the CEI. To do so, we are carefully examining many options, including these proposed features:

A proposed tunnel under Washington Avenue at the University of Minnesota – about $155 million.
The complete reconstruction of University Avenue from building face to building face – about $55 million.
The Fourth Street leg to Union Depot in downtown St. Paul – about $72 million.

In addition, at the suggestion of federal transit officials, we are considering whether we should plan for three-car trains instead of two-car trains, as originally proposed. The longer platforms, additional cars and related facilities would add about $93 million to the cost.

So, as you can see, we face some difficult challenges in the coming months as we work with our project partners and community advisory groups to develop the best possible plan.

The good news is that this is a very strong project, one that will enable us to build on the success of the Hiawatha LRT line. We project that that line will attract more than 38,000 riders a day by 2020 and more than 43,000 by 2030.

It will provide a fast, safe, new transportation choice in one of our most heavily traveled corridors. And it will mean improved access to employment, educational and economic opportunities within our region.

Peter Bell

October 2007