The proposed transit lines would have linked the St. Paul airport, downtown, and the Mall of America.
Ramsey County, Minnesota officials nixed a proposal to build a streetcar or bus rapid transit (BRT) line between downtown St. Paul, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, and the Mall of America, reports Adam Uren for Yahoo News.
The proposed Riverview Corridor project was slated to cost roughly $2 billion, with some half being funded by federal grants. A BRT alternative would only cost $120 million, but county officials say the BRT proposal “was mainly included in the plans for comparative purposes, and wasn't a priority for the county.” According to the county, “During engagement sessions, issues were raised about potential construction impacts, safety and security concerns facing transit and communities overall, among other issues.”
“Rafael Ortega, District 5 Commissioner for Ramsey County, told the Pioneer Press he realized the Riverview Corridor project was doomed when the Metropolitan Airports Commission raised concerns about a streetcar sharing a track with the Blue Line light rail, as well as road improvements required approaching MSP.”
FULL STORY: A streetcar or rapid bus between St. Paul and MSP Airport? Ramsey County decides neither
St. Paul ‘Arterial BRT’ Could Be Faster, Cost Less Than Streetcar
Officials are eyeing a plan that could replace a proposed streetcar line with a bus rapid transit line.
New Bus Rapid Transit Route Breaks Ground in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities are on a mission to become the bus rapid transit capital of the United States. The latest improvement to advance that ambition broke ground earlier this week.
The Future of Public Transit: The Bus
The solution to making public transit better doesn’t lie in technological innovations or hyper-modern trains, but in investing in one of its simplest tools.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)