Streetcar from St. Paul to Airport Takes an Initial Step Forward

Regional interests around the Twin Cities are considering a proposal that would connect St. Paul to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the city of Bloomington by streetcar.

1 minute read

December 18, 2017, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A plan to build a modern streetcar line to connect Downtown St. Paul to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the city of Bloomington is moving forward, after a regional committee approved the plan. 

"After three years of study and 29 public meetings, the Riverview Corridor’s policy advisory committee voted 11-2 on Thursday in support of the future $1.4 billion to $2 billion transit line, which would travel down West Seventh Street in St. Paul and cross the Mississippi River at or near the Minnesota 5 bridge," reports Frederick Melo.

As Melo notes, the streetcar "would share a travel lane of West Seventh Street with local traffic" and "operate no more than one train car at a time" so transit advocates might have some reason to criticize the proposal.

Melo also notes that despite the approval and all the study already completed, years of planning, environmental, and engineering work remain before the project can break ground. "Over the next several months, local municipalities such as St. Paul, Bloomington, Hennepin and Ramsey counties, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission will be expected to vote on the transit concept, which will eventually be added to the Metropolitan Council’s regional transit plan," according to Melo. 

Thursday, December 14, 2017 in Pioneer Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square