Mn light rail route full#

The money enabled the release of an additional $97.5 million in state bonding money set aside for the project.

Mn light rail route full#

Deputy Secretary of Transportation Thomas Barrett met with Governor Pawlenty in Anoka County and officially signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement of $156.8 million, nearly half of the funding for the $317 million, 40-mile (64 km) line from Minneapolis to Big Lake. Ĭonstruction began on the maintenance facility near Big Lake station and on the Blue Line light rail extension in September 2007, before full funding for the line had been secured. The 2006 state legislature, along with city, county and federal governments, provided funding to complete the corridor to Big Lake. The bill was signed on April 11, 2005, by Governor Tim Pawlenty at the site of the Riverdale station in Coon Rapids. Some counties in the area and the Metropolitan Council came up with matching funds to allow funding from the United States federal government to continue.ĭuring the 2005 state legislative session, a bonding bill including $37.5 million of funding for the proposed project was passed. The 2004 Minnesota Legislative session did not pass a bonding bill, which meant a lack of funds for initial project work. He changed his mind after MnDOT determined that a scaled-back version of the line would qualify for federal funding. Ventura's successor, Governor Tim Pawlenty, did not initially support it. When the line was first proposed, then-Governor Jesse Ventura was an early advocate and convinced some people to come around to his point of view. The estimated ridership for the full route was not high enough to qualify for that much needed federal funding. The project was counting on federal funding for half of its construction costs. The route was initially designed to run the full distance between Minneapolis and Rice, Minnesota, northwest of St.

5 Upgrades and potential extension to St.

“This is not just a bus line we’re connecting communities. “This investment we’re making here is generational,” said Governor Walz. One-way trips should take 38 minutes traveling south and 34 minutes heading north.įunding for the project was provided by the Counties Transit Improvement Board, the State of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, Dakota County and the federal government. The Orange Line will operate every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes during nights and weekends. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 14,000 traveled via bus along the corridor on a daily basis. The I-35 corridor was selected for the Orange Line route because it is one of the most heavily traveled roads in Minnesota. “The reliable weekday and weekend transit will make it easier and more comfortable for residents to go car-lite or car-free.” Its frequent service will connect residents to their destinations downtown and in the suburbs without the need to check a schedule,” said transportation engineer Ben Manibog. “The Orange Line brings more reliability and connectivity to the city’s transit system. However, bus rapid transit is less expensive to build and allows for more flexible routes. Trips on the Orange Line will be faster than a typical bus route, customers will pay their fare before getting on the bus, stations will have real-time departure signs and stations will offer enhanced security. The rider amenities and efficiency of bus rapid transit are more attune to the light rail than traditional bus transportation. “We have long had great bus options, but the Orange Line supercharges those existing lines with all-day, fast service in both directions to downtown Minneapolis and Burnsville.”

“Richfield has worked to make sure everyone can get where they need to go with dignity and safety, whether they walk, bike, drive, or take transit,” explained Ward II Councilmember Sean Hayford Oleary. Ward II City Councilmember Sean Hayford Oleary and At-Large City Councilmember Mary Supple both participated in the Orange Line ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 4 with Governor Tim Walz and other area elected officials. Richfield’s two Orange Line Stations will be located at Knox Avenue and 76 th Street, as well as I-35W and 66 th Street. The new 17-mile bus rapid transit line connects Minneapolis, Bloomington, Burnsville and Richfield along I-35W. On December 4, the City of Richfield added a new public transportation option to its infrastructure with the help of Metro Transit and the opening of the Orange Line. It’s clear that improving a city’s transportation system is one of the best ways to improve residents’ quality of life. From benefits for riders’ health associated with more walking to less road congestion to reduced household expenses. A strong public transportation system has almost too many benefits to count.