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What is the Rush Line Corridor? <br />The Rush Line Corridor begins in downtown <br />St. Paul and generally follows Highway 61 and <br />I- 35E/I -35 north for 80 miles to Hinckley. The <br />corridor includes 21 communities and four <br />counties. The communities range from the <br />urbanized St. Paul to the more rural <br />communities in Chisago and Pine Counties. <br />About the Corridor <br />Congestion is on the rise in the Corridor. <br />Traffic forecasts show that traffic on I- 35E /I- <br />35 will increase by 25 percent south of I -694, <br />by 65 percent between White Bear Lake and <br />Hugo, and by 50 percent north of Hugo. The <br />reconstruction of the I -35E /I -694 interchange <br />in the next few years will increase that <br />congestion. Metro Transit and private bus <br />providers offer commuter and daily bus <br />service in the corridor, with some service as <br />far north as Lino Lakes. County-based transit <br />systems in Washington and Chisago /Isanti <br />Counties provide limited local service in their <br />respective counties. A limited- service freight <br />railroad operates in two sections of the <br />corridor — between White Bear Lalce and <br />Hugo, and then north of North Branch. Other <br />sections of railroad right -of -way have been <br />abandoned and acquired by Ramsey, Chisago, <br />and Washington Counties, and have been <br />made into interim -use recreational trails. <br />These sections include downtown St. Paul to <br />Maplewood and from Hugo to North Branch. <br />Transit Study <br />A transit study was completed in September <br />2001 for the Rush Line Corridor. The study <br />goal was to identify and recommend both <br />short -term and long -term transit <br />improvements for north -south travel in the <br />corridor. The study examined current and <br />future travel considerations in the corridor. <br />Short -term improvements were recommended <br />to improve mobility in the corridor. Longer - <br />term improvements, including commuter rail <br />and a busway, were also analyzed. The study's <br />recommendations included many short -tern <br />transit improvement projects, such as park - <br />and- ride /pool lots, transit centers, and several <br />smaller scale transit amenity improvements, <br />such as upgrading bus shelters and replacing <br />or adding more lighting. The study <br />recommendations also included commuter <br />rail or a busway to be implemented at a later <br />time. <br />Task Force <br />A joint powers organization was created in <br />1999 for the corridor. The 14 member task <br />force is comprised of the county regional <br />railroad authorities or the counties and <br />several cities and townships along the <br />corridor. Ramsey County Commissioner <br />Victoria Reinhardt is the Task Force Chair. <br />What Happens Now? <br />The Rush Line Corridor has received <br />$500,000 in federal funds to implement study <br />recommendations. The Task Force is working <br />to select a site for a park-and-pool lot along <br />the corridor. Matching funds of $125,000 are <br />required to spend the federal funds. No <br />funding source has been identified at this time <br />for the matching funds. <br />Contact <br />Kathy DeSpiegealere, Director <br />Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority <br />651.266.2762 (telephone) <br />Project Website <br />wwA4'.rushlinecor itior.com <br />2 <br />