Public hearings set for Central Corridor transit project
ST. PAUL (April 12, 2006) — The Central Corridor Coordinating Committee will host three public hearings in May on the draft environmental impact statement for the Central Corridor transit project linking downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. Written comments may also be made to the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority during the 45-day public comment period.
At the end of the 45-day comment period, the Central Corridor Coordinating Committee – made up of elected officials from St. Paul, Minneapolis, Ramsey and Hennepin counties and representatives from the Metropolitan Council, Minnesota Department of Transportation and University of Minnesota – will recommend a locally preferred alternative for the project – light rail, bus rapid transit or the status quo – to the Metropolitan Council. The Met Council is expected to act on that recommendation by late June.
Hearings will be held at the following locations at these dates and times:
- Monday, May 22, 6:30 PM, Radisson Metrodome, 615 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis
An open house for questions and answers will precede the hearing from 5-6:30 PM.
- Wednesday, May 24, 8 AM, Minnesota History Center, 345 West Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul
An open house for questions and answers will precede the hearing at 7:30 AM.
- Wednesday, May 24, 6:30 PM, Central High School, 275 N. Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul
An open house for questions and answers will precede the hearing from 3:30 to 6:30 PM.
The public comment period, the time for submitting written comments on this phase of work to be included in the public record, will conclude on June 5, 2006.
These hearings and public comment period are just the beginning of an ongoing public-involvement process during design and construction of the new Central Corridor transit line.
This first set of hearings will focus on the draft environmental impact statement, which assesses the potential impacts of the design, construction and operation of transit improvements in the Central Corridor, an 11-mile stretch of University Avenue between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis.
The environmental effects examined include impacts to historic and cultural resources, traffic and parking, air quality, wildlife and natural resources, water resources, and socioeconomic, including the impacts to local business. The public hearings and 45-day comment period will allow the public the opportunity to offer thoughts on the environmental impact statement and to help shape the next phase of the project, preliminary engineering, which is expected to begin this fall and continue for two years.
Written comments on the Draft EIS should be addressed to:
Stephen L. Morris, Project Manager
Suite 665 RCGC West,
50 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul , MN 55102
Telephone: (651) 266-2784
email: deiscomments@co.ramsey.mn.us
Request for copies of the Draft EIS may be made to the same address.
Copies of the Draft EIS may also be viewed at the above address or at libraries along the corridor. Additional information on the project can be obtained on the project website at www.centralcorridor.org.
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