> News+Events > Features > Transit - July 2009

Central Corridor light rail environmental document published

Project moves closer to construction

The Central Corridor light-rail transit (LRT) project marked another milestone with publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on Friday, June 26, in the Federal Register.

Publication of the 2,500-page document is the culmination of two years’ worth of research, analysis and public engagement with more than 30,000 people through more than 1,300 meetings, community events and informal contacts.

"This is a major milestone for the Central Corridor project," said Council Chair Peter Bell. "It puts us on track to seek federal approval to enter Final Design this fall. If we can get the Full Funding Grant Agreement in place next summer, assuring us of federal support, we could start major construction late next summer--right on schedule."

Residents and workers in downtown St. Paul are also seeing the first physical evidence of the coming construction. Preliminary work is underway for relocation of utilities, scheduled to begin in earnest in late August along Fourth Street.

FEIS details Central Corridor project

The FEIS describes the project as it is going to be constructed, giving the final picture so that everyone knows what is going to be built and where.

The FEIS describes the route and how it was chosen. It also provides the location of the tracks, stations and key pieces of supporting infrastructure, such as the traction power substations and the LRT operation and maintenance facility. It includes responses to all comments received on the 2006 Draft EIS as well as the 2008 Supplemental Draft EIS.

The FEIS explains the purpose and need for the project and commitments to mitigate adverse impacts. Mitigation commitments made in the environmental process must be fulfilled.

Print copies of the Central Corridor FEIS are available for public and agency review through July 27 at area libraries. See a listing of those libraries and a citizen’s guide to the FEIS. The public review period ends 30 days following publication. The document can also be read online.

Next steps: ‘Record of decision’ and utility relocation

In late August, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is expected to issue a “record of decision,” which summarizes adverse impacts and the project’s commitment to mitigate them. The FTA has been requested to issue a “letter of no prejudice” for the downtown St. Paul Fourth Street utility relocation work immediately after the issuance of the record of decision. The letter is the federal government’s agreement to reimburse project partners for the federal share of the cost of relocating utilities if and when the agency awards a Full Funding Grant Agreement.

The Central Corridor Project Office will complete all design on the 11-mile line in the first half of 2010 and secure the federal Full Funding Grant Agreement to begin heavy construction in the latter half of 2010. The federal government would then pay half the project’s $914 million cost.

The June 2009 Central Corridor newsletter, Making Tracks (pdf) has more details about upcoming work in the corridor.