St. Paul Reporter

Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Sept. 22

Building a stronger, more equitable and resilient economy – as we continue to mitigate the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic – will require a transportation system that safely and smartly connects people to jobs and vital services. The COVID-19 crisis has shown that effective public transportation is a critical part of keeping regions running.

By serving essential workers in emergency services, health care, food services, social services and other sectors, public transportation helps not just some people, but everyone who relies on and benefits from the work of these heroes in our community.

Workers classified as essential during this public health and economic emergency make up 36% of total transit commuters in the United States, according to U.S. Census data. Nationwide, more than 600,000 regular transit commuters work at hospitals, in doctor’s offices, or as home health providers; 165,000 people take transit to jobs in grocery stores or pharmacies; and 150,000 workers in social services commute on transit. These millions and millions of weekly trips serving all work shifts don’t include the essential trips taken by people using transit to get to their medical appointments, buy groceries or pick up a prescription at a pharmacy.    

To strengthen transportation in the East Metro, Ramsey County and project partners are leading three major transit projects: Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), with construction starting in 2022 and service expected to begin in 2024; Rush Line BRT, on track to start operating in 2026; and the Riverview Corridor, now beginning its environmental and pre-engineering phase, with construction beginning as soon as 2028.

• Gold Line BRT is a largely east-west 10-mile Bus Rapid Transit route that generally runs along I-94 that will have 21 stations in Saint Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale, and Woodbury. Gold Line will be Minnesota’s first BRT line that operates primarily within bus-only lanes.
• Rush Line BRT is a 15-mile line connecting White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Gem Lake, Vadnais Heights, Maplewood, and Saint Paul. Among its many connections, Rush Line will provide access to 50 medical clinics and hospitals along the route, including Regions Hospital, HealthPartners Specialty Center, and St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood.
• The Riverview Corridor is a 12-mile planned transportation connection between neighborhoods and anchor destinations and employers in downtown Saint Paul, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America. The planned modern streetcar line includes use of existing METRO Green Line stations and tracks in downtown Saint Paul and existing METRO Blue Line stations and tracks south of the Mississippi River beginning at Fort Snelling. Nine new stations are planned along State Highway 5 (West 7th Street).

These three East Metro lines are key links in our region’s transit system that will connect communities, jobs, retail, education, and recreation destinations. With all-day service in both directions, every ten minutes during rush hours and every fifteen minutes throughout the day, these three projects are poised to help our region recover and thrive.

Original source can be found here.