Gateway Corridor (Minnesota)

Gateway Corridor
Overview
Status Proposed
Route
Locale Minneapolis – Saint Paul metro area;
Minnesota Counties Ramsey, Washington
Wisconsin Counties St. Croix, Dunn,
Chippewa, Eau Claire counties
Start Saint Paul Union Depot
End Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Route map
Legend
St. Paul Union Depot
Ideal Avenue
Manning Avenue
County Road U
Highway 63/6th Avenue
Wilson Street
Putnam Street
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The Gateway Corridor is a proposed Transitway along Interstate 94 from St. Paul, Minnesota to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

About

The Gateway Corridor follows Interstate 94 from the St. Croix River Bridge to Saint Paul and is one of the most heavily used and traveled corridors in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It provides an important link to some of the Saint Paul's largest employers, including 3M, The Hartford, Imation and Securian Financial. As a result of recent population growth, the Gateway Corridor today moves more than 150,000 vehicles per day. In 2009, a commission was created to study and plan alternative transportation options in the corridor.

In August 2010, the Gateway Corridor Commission and its consultant team initiated a Transit Alternatives Analysis Study (AA), looking at the corridor from the Twin Cities to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This is the first step in determining 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.

The AA Study will take approximately 18 months to complete and is expected to be finished by spring 2012. Final decisions regarding the mode of transit and route will be determined by the Metropolitan Council and Ramsey and Washington County Regional Railroad Authorities. These decisions will help move this from a planning effort into a real, tangible project.

The Gateway Corridor Commission has dropped the commuter rail option, leaving only possible bus rapid transit or light rail routes. All of the bus rapid transit route options would run on Interstate 94.[1]

Bus Rapid Transit

A proposed bus rapid transit line running from Downtown Saint Paul to Woodbury, named the Gold Line, is proposed to be built by 2022. The line would cost $485 million in 2021 dollars with 45% of that coming from federal sources. The Gateway Corridor Commission estimates 8,600 weekday riders by 2040.[2] Buses would run 90% of the time on new roads that run next to existing roads and highways. Service would be every 10 minutes during peak times and 20 - 30 during other times. Travel times from end to end for the 12 stations would take at least 34 minutes.[3]

References

  1. Article
  2. Shaw, Bob (December 18, 2015) "Woodbury-to-St. Paul Gold Line would be second costliest, per rider" Saint Paul Pioneer Press
  3. Shaw, Bob (December 19, 2015) "Is the $485M St. Paul-to-Woodbury Gold Line bus worth it?" Saint Paul Pioneer Press]]
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