In August 2010, the Gateway Corridor Commission and its consultant team initiated a Transit Alternatives Analysis Study (AA), looking at the I-94 corridor from Saint Paul – Minneapolis to western, Wisconsin. This is a first step to determine the best mode (i.e. light rail, commuter rail or bus rapid transit); estimated ridership, possible routes and stops, and projected costs to build, operate and maintain. In looking at these four main areas, the study will help to address the issues of congestion, potential economic development/revitalization and environmental and social impacts.
At the end of the study, a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) will be identified that best meets the goals and objectives for the corridor.
For purposes of the AA, the Gateway Corridor is defined as approximately 3-5 miles on either side of Interstate 94 from downtown Minneapolis to downtown Eau Claire. The approximately 90-mile long corridor has been broken into four segments, as shown in the figure below, which generally have different land use characteristics.
The Gateway Corridor Commission has approved eight transit options for detailed study based on recommendations from the Technical and Policy Advisory Committees, comments received at public open houses and community meetings. The eight alternatives included a variety of different transit technologies and routes in order to investigate a variety of options to meet the goals of the Gateway Corridor: increased mobility, provide a cost-effective transit solution, support economic development, protect the existing natural environment and community quality of life, and improve safety.
The first two alternatives are required to be part of the AA by the Federal Transit Administration and are used as baselines for comparative analysis of the other six alternatives. The remaining six alternatives are considered 'build' alternatives because they entail significantly increased transit investments.
The transit technologies being analyzed are express buses, Light Rail Transit (LRT), Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which functions similarly to LRT but uses buses in exclusive lanes instead of trains, and Commuter Rail. Multiple routes are also under consideration. The variety of routes and transit technologies will allow the study team to compare a wide range of options to see what will be the best fit for the corridor's goals.
Below is a description and map of each alternative.
The first alternative is used as a base line for analysis and incorporates any transportation improvements to the corridor that will be in place by 2030. This includes the Central Corridor LRT, maintaining the current express bus service between downtown St. Paul-Minneapolis and Woodbury, and a managed lane, similar to the MnPass lanes recently implemented in other regional freeways, between St. Paul and Minneapolis. This option would include already existing and planned Park & Ride lots throughout the corridor.
View Alternative 1 Map
Past maps
View Revised Route Map with Possible Station Locations
View Initial Route Map
This alternative also serves as a base for comparison and includes the same elements in Alternative 1 plus upgrades to the corridor that would not require significant capital investment. Upgrades include shoulder lane improvements where necessary in order for buses to maintain speed advantages in congested areas and four new park and ride lots in Wisconsin.
View Alternative 2 Map
Past Maps
View Revised Route Map with Possible Station Locations
View Initial Route Map
The third alternative would operate BRT by utilizing an exclusive bus-only lane from St. Paul to the vicinity of Manning Avenue in Woodbury/Lake Elmo. The goal of this alternative is to provide passengers with an efficient trip to their destinations throughout the corridor, at all times of the day. The bus only lane would begin at the Union Depot and utilize the north side of I-94, between the freeway and Hudson Road, and the I-94 median, where present. The exclusive bus-only lane would end in the vicinity of Manning Avenue but bus service would continue on to Eau Claire.
View Alternative 3 Map
Past Maps
View Revised Route Map with Possible Station Locations
View Initial Route Map
The fourth alternative would also operate BRT by utilizing an exclusive bus lane from St. Paul to the vicinity of Manning Avenue in Woodbury/Lake Elmo. The goal of this alternative is to get out of the I-94 right of way and provide access, at all times of the day, to where people work and live. The route travels north of I-94 into St. Paul's east side neighborhoods via East 7th Street and White Bear Avenue. The route then continues along I-94 until Radio Drive and accesses local neighborhoods in Woodbury via Hudson Road and terminates in the vicinity of Manning Avenue. Express buses would operate from Manning Avenue to Eau Claire.
View Alternative 4 Map
Past maps
View Revised Route Map with Possible Station Locations
View Initial Route Map
The fifth alternative is the same route as alternative three but uses LRT instead of BRT with the goal of providing passengers with an efficient trip to their destinations throughout the corridor, at all times of the day. LRT would begin at the Union Depot and utilize the north side of I-94, between the freeway and Hudson Road, and the I-94 median, where present. LRT would end in the vicinity of Manning Avenue in Woodbury/Lake Elmo but bus service would continue on to Eau Claire.
View Alternative 5 Map
Past maps
View Revised Route Map with Possible Station Locations
View Initial Route Map
The sixth option is the same route as alternative four but uses LRT instead of BRT with the goal of getting out of the I-94 right of way and to provide access, at all times of the day, to where people work and live. The route travels north of I-94 into St. Paul's east side neighborhoods via East 7th Street and White Bear Avenue. The route then continues along I-94 until Radio Drive and accesses local neighborhoods in Woodbury via Hudson Road and terminates in the vicinity of Manning Avenue in Woodbury/Lake Elmo. Express buses would operate from Manning Avenue to Eau Claire.
View Alternative 6 Map
Past maps
View Revised Route Map with Possible Station Locations
View Initial Route Map
The seventh alternative would incorporate commuter rail service from downtown Minneapolis to Eau Claire with service primarily during the morning and afternoon rush hours. The route would start in Minneapolis and follow the Canadian Pacific Railway to the Union Depot in downtown St. Paul. The route would then travel on the Union Pacific route northeast through St. Paul's Payne-Phalen neighborhood, Maplewood and Oakdale. The route continues to parallel Highway 5 into downtown Lake Elmo before veering south of Bayport and crossing the St. Croix River on an existing rail bridge into North Hudson. The route then continues north of I-94 to Eau Claire.
View Alternative 7 Map
Past maps
View Revised Route Map with Possible Station Locations
View Initial Route Map
The eighth alternative would use managed lanes, similar to the MnPass lanes recently implemented in other regional freeways, between St. Paul-Minneapolis and the St. Croix River Bridge. The managed lane would allow for use by personal vehicles that meet specific criteria (i.e. carpoolers, those who pay a toll) as well as buses. The benefit to this alternative is that the transit improvements would accommodate both personal vehicles and transit users.
View Alternative 8 Map
Past maps
View Revised Route Map with Possible Station Locations
View Initial Route Map
The Gateway Corridor Commission will be the decision-making body for the AA Study. Its decisions and recommendations from the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) will be forwarded to the affected Regional Railroad Authorities (i.e. Ramsey County, Washington County, and/or Hennepin County) in Minnesota. The PAC will also refer its recommendations to the Wisconsin Gateway Corridor Coalition for its consideration. The AA Study will take approximately 18 months to complete and is expected to be finished by spring 2012
(presentation at 6:30 p.m.)
Eastside Community Center
Harding High School
1526 6th Street East, St. Paul, MN
(presentation at 5:30 p.m.)
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Health Education Center Room 118
615 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI
(presentation at 5:30 p.m.)
St. Croix Government Center
Lower Level (enter by Sheriff's Office)
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI
(presentation at 5:30 p.m.)
Woodbury City Hall
Ash/Birch Room, Main Floor
8301 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury, MN
