Metropolitan Council approves light rail along Central Corridor

Central could be more successful than Hiawatha, says Chair Bell

ST. PAUL (June 28, 2006) - The Metropolitan Council on June 28 approved the selection of light rail for the Central Corridor. By the end of the month, the Council expects to submit a “New Starts” application to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) asking for permission to begin the preliminary engineering phase of the project.

“LRT along the Central Corridor has the potential to be an even bigger success than Hiawatha and will help put the Twin Cities in an elite class of cities such as St. Louis, Salt Lake and San Diego,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “It will provide expanded access and opportunities all along the corridor, as well as the destinations served by the Hiawatha line and the soon-to-be built Northstar commuter rail line.”

The proposed LRT line along University Avenue is part of the Council's 2030 plan for a network of rail and bus "transitways" to serve heavily traveled corridors in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The LRT investment is intended to improve mobility, build transit ridership, slow the growth in traffic congestion and reduce travel times.

Light rail was selected for the corridor over bus rapid transit, which would not have sufficient capacity to accommodate future transit demand in the corridor. LRT is expected to serve 38,100 riders by 2020 and 43,270 by 2030.

In addition, LRT is expected to accelerate redevelopment and revitalization taking place along University Avenue, creating jobs, housing and economic opportunity.

Last week, the Council learned that the cost of the project, adjusted for inflation, is $930 million. The previous $840 million estimate was based on the assumption that the line would be built in 2006-08. It now appears that construction will start in 2010 and be completed in 2013.

Bell said the project will need to “go on a diet” to meet federal cost-effectiveness guidelines and receive federal matching funds.

As currently proposed, the 11-mile line will have 16 new stations, plus five stations shared with the Hiawatha line in downtown Minneapolis. It will be served by 31 new LRT vehicles with trains operating every 7.5 minutes during peak travel periods, and a travel time of 35 minutes between the two downtowns.

In coming months the Council will name a Corridor Management Committee, chaired by the Council, to provide oversight. The Council will also establish a Community Advisory Committee to include representatives of the community, businesses and ethnic and other groups in the corridor.

Sometime this fall, the Council expects to receive federal approval to proceed with preliminary engineering. During this phase, the Council and planning partners will finalize station locations, refine the estimates of project costs, benefits and impacts, finalize management plans and identify and commit local funding sources.

If the project ultimately receives FTA approval to proceed to final design and obtains federal funding, construction of the line would begin in 2010, with operations beginning in 2014. For updates on the project, visit the Council’s website at www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/centralcorridor.htm

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Minnesota Governor.

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