Rush Line Corridor
Encyclopedia
The Rush Line Corridor is a transport corridor
and proposed commuter rail service that will run from Union Depot
in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota
to Hinckley, Minnesota
. It roughly follows the path of U.S. Route 61
and Interstate 35
. Along with the Red Rock Corridor
in the southeast and the Southwest Corridor in the southwest metro, it is considered a "Tier Two" commuter rail project with scheduled implementation after 2020.
Efforts to improve the corridor are coordinated by the Rush Line Corridor Task Force, formed in 1999 and composed of 22 elected officials from counties and municipalities along the corridor.
Commuter rail costs are expected to be high if implemented, due to the multiple railroads
operating the tracks, additionally some sections of rail would have to be rebuilt on county-owned abandoned right of ways. Existing rail is a combination of Class I
and Class III
railroads. Despite a relatively high population density
, projected ridership
is lower than originally anticipated because commuters are split in their final destination, mostly downtown Saint Paul or downtown Minneapolis
. If built, it could connect with the proposed Northern Lights Express
in Hinckley and provide a more direct link between Saint Paul and Duluth
.
throughout the corridor or light rail
in the Ramsey County portion, from Union Depot to White Bear Lake
. Despite having significantly lower operating costs than commuter rail, light rail would require taking lane
s on East Seventh Street in downtown Saint Paul, additionally track right of way would run close to residential structures.
Currently, the Ramsey and Washington county portions of the corridor are served by local Metro Transit bus routes. In September 2009, the Metropolitan Council
awarded $3.4 million to extend the existing park and ride
facilities at Maplewood Mall
. In September 2010, a commuter bus service is expected to begin service in the corridor. Originating from Columbus and Forest Lake
, the route is planning a stop in White Bear Township en route to multiple stops in downtown Saint Paul before terminating at Union Depot. Ridership is expected at 200 persons a day. The Rush Line Task Force and the Metropolitan Council are looking for access to county and federal funds to cover capital costs.
Transport corridor
A transportation corridor is a tract of land in which at least one main line for transport, be it road, rail or canal, has been built...
and proposed commuter rail service that will run from Union Depot
Saint Paul Union Depot
The Saint Paul Union Depot was the main train station in the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Saint Paul Union Depot Company controlled of St. Paul trackage and terminal facilities, including the depot building...
in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
to Hinckley, Minnesota
Hinckley, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,291 people, 551 households, and 332 families residing in the city. The population density was 454.3 people per square mile . There were 614 housing units at an average density of 216.0 per square mile...
. It roughly follows the path of U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61
U.S. Route 61 is the official designation for a United States highway that runs from New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Wyoming, Minnesota. The highway generally follows the course of the Mississippi River, and is designated the Great River Road for much of its route. As of 2004, the highway's...
and Interstate 35
Interstate 35 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 35 is a highway in southeast, east-central, and northeast Minnesota. The route runs north–south from the Iowa state line through the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul; where it splits into Interstates 35E and 35W; and ends in the city of...
. Along with the Red Rock Corridor
Red Rock Corridor
The Red Rock Corridor is a proposed commuter rail service that will go from downtown Minneapolis through neighboring Saint Paul and then southeast along the Mississippi River to Hastings, Minnesota, with a possible later extension to Red Wing...
in the southeast and the Southwest Corridor in the southwest metro, it is considered a "Tier Two" commuter rail project with scheduled implementation after 2020.
Efforts to improve the corridor are coordinated by the Rush Line Corridor Task Force, formed in 1999 and composed of 22 elected officials from counties and municipalities along the corridor.
Commuter rail costs are expected to be high if implemented, due to the multiple railroads
Railway company
A railway company or railroad company is an entity that operates a railroad track and/or trains. Such a company can either be private or public...
operating the tracks, additionally some sections of rail would have to be rebuilt on county-owned abandoned right of ways. Existing rail is a combination of Class I
Class I railroad
A Class I railroad in the United States and Mexico, or a Class I rail carrier in Canada, is a large freight railroad company, as classified based on operating revenue.Smaller railroads are classified as Class II and Class III...
and Class III
Class III railroad
A Class III railroad, as defined by the Surface Transportation Board, is a railroad with an annual operating revenue of less than $20 million . The term only applies to United States railroads, but is sometimes applied to other countries...
railroads. Despite a relatively high population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
, projected ridership
Patronage (transportation)
In public transportation, patronage or ridership is a type of forecasting or statistic for studying the average quantity of passengers carried per certain time in a mode of public transit system. The concept should not be confused with the maximum loading capacity of one particular vehicle or the...
is lower than originally anticipated because commuters are split in their final destination, mostly downtown Saint Paul or downtown Minneapolis
Central, Minneapolis
The Central community in Minneapolis is located in the central part of the city, consisting of 6 smaller official neighborhoods, and includes Downtown Minneapolis, the central business district...
. If built, it could connect with the proposed Northern Lights Express
Northern Lights Express
The Northern Lights Express is a proposed passenger rail service running along the corridor between Minneapolis and Duluth primarily in the U.S. state of Minnesota. A portion of the line will run through neighboring Wisconsin to serve Duluth's "Twin Port" of Superior. Plans are to upgrade an...
in Hinckley and provide a more direct link between Saint Paul and Duluth
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
.
Alternatives
Alternatives to commuter rail have been presented, including the implementation bus rapid transitBus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
throughout the corridor or light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
in the Ramsey County portion, from Union Depot to White Bear Lake
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
White Bear Lake is a city in Ramsey and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 23,797 at the 2010 census. The city is located on White Bear Lake, one of the largest lakes in the Minneapolis-St...
. Despite having significantly lower operating costs than commuter rail, light rail would require taking lane
Lane
A lane is a part of the roadway within a road marked out for use by a single line of vehicles in such a way as to control and guide drivers for the purpose of reducing traffic conflicts. Most public roads have at least two lanes, one for traffic in each direction, separated by Lane markings...
s on East Seventh Street in downtown Saint Paul, additionally track right of way would run close to residential structures.
Currently, the Ramsey and Washington county portions of the corridor are served by local Metro Transit bus routes. In September 2009, the Metropolitan Council
Metropolitan Council
The Metropolitan Council or Met Council is the regional governmental agency and metropolitan planning organization in Minnesota serving the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area. The Met Council is granted regional authority powers in state statutes by the Minnesota Legislature. These powers...
awarded $3.4 million to extend the existing park and ride
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
facilities at Maplewood Mall
Maplewood Mall
Maplewood Mall is a super-regional shopping mall located in Maplewood, Minnesota. It is located two blocks off Interstate 694 on the Saint Paul side of the Twin Cities. Maplewood Mall opened in 1974. It was later renovated and expanded in 1996 and is thought to be in the top six malls in the...
. In September 2010, a commuter bus service is expected to begin service in the corridor. Originating from Columbus and Forest Lake
Forest Lake, Minnesota
Forest Lake is a city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 18,375 at the 2010 census. It is located on Minnesota's 94th largest lake .Interstate 35 and U.S...
, the route is planning a stop in White Bear Township en route to multiple stops in downtown Saint Paul before terminating at Union Depot. Ridership is expected at 200 persons a day. The Rush Line Task Force and the Metropolitan Council are looking for access to county and federal funds to cover capital costs.