HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 02-19 East metro previews Gateway Corridor transit project MAPLEWOOD REVIEWEast metrop. reviews
..Gateway Corridor
transit project
Kaitlyn Roby:
Review staff
East metro residents and leaders recently pre-
viewed a project that would add 12 miles of a light-
rail train fine or designated bus lanes, linking St.
Paul with neighboring suburbs; including Maple-
wood; Oakdale and Labe Elmo.
The dozens of attendees of the open house Feb.
6 at Globe University in Woodbury shared ideas
aloud and on comment sheets, but a formal feedback
period (called scoping) is March 3 through April 1a.
"There are some concerns people have, but this
is an opportunity to explore and. help find the right
solutions," said state Rep. JoAnn Ward, DFL -Wood-
bury, at the open house,
The Gateway Corridor Commission is consider-
.ing two possible line alignments with two potential
.modes of transportation. Thegroup` is made up
of individuals and organizations from - the cities of
Afton, Lake Elmo, Lakeland, Maplewood, OAkdale,
St. Paul, West Lakeland- Township and Woodbury,
and Ramsey and Washington, counties.
One possible stretch would have, busses or light-
rail trains travel along Inwood Avenue. Another
would wind along Interstate94, include a Radio
Drive station and continue to Interstate - 694 to the
west of an Oakdale.business park (Crossroads/Oak).
.Also being considered are north and south align-
ments cutting through Lake Elmo to Manning Ave-
nue and the St. Croix River crossing into Wisconsin.
The system may include 11 stations and connec-
tions to the regional transit system.
The project is in the :early -planning stage, where
organizers are still gathering feedback on the options
''and working on a draft, environmental impact state-
ment.
With construction possibly starting in 2015, a
news release saytft line could be open for service
by 2022. 1 9 2014
see Corridor on page 3
a.
represents a. large porion,of
:Woodbury.
VSTeik said that the cor-
ridor would be .an "infra- ''While many appeared Church in Oakdale to Min
structure investment," exeited about'the possibility. ;neapolis, where, 'he: works.
which could help' attract 'of connecting the metro and in brokerage and. financial'
developers to the area.. the suburbs through public.-, planning.
She said there was a lot. transit,.some didn't Iwant He said he attended the
Of.. respectfuf curiosity and' attendees to, forget it costs session: because he's inter -
interest about.the project money. ested'in improving express
at the open house. A Move MN campaign transif service between the
"The public is starting representative was hand- eastern suburbs and the
to realize this isn't 10 years ing out cards, reminding. metro area.
off," she said.' "It's more attendees that, the project While the light-rail or
tangible. They want, to needs funding in order _to express bus lane would
make sure we do it right." happen. The organization is improve . his commute by
The population within pushing state:lawmaker.s to offering him an alter. -native
the I-94 area is already increase transit funding in to driving, Gilbert noted
expected to increase by 30 the 2014legislativ'e session. that more traveling ameni-
percent by 2030,. jumping ties. could also draw busi-
firom the estimated 300,000 improving commute, ness to cities along the cor-
;people who are now living opening up job options ridor.
there. Richard Gilbert of Oak-. "I'm just glad to sde us get
Hundreds of thousands dale has taken, a bus from involved," he said, "It's time
;of cars are crossing the Sit. the park-and-ride lot at for St. Paul to catch up with
Croix River to enter Si. Paul Guardian Angels Catholic Minneapolis:"
daily, plarirlers say. Mark Jenkins; a Maple -
FEB ��4 rtB192014.
Co'r'ridor.
continued From page 1a
wood representative on the. rience using the transit
Gateway Corridor citizen systems of New York and
' '
s advisory committee, helped Washington, D.C., Jenkins
Anticipating growth
organize `upcoming scoping said he would prefer.a light -
While there wasn't much
a meetings, rail system, because it's
talk about costs, those ° '
4 He said organizer.'' accessible to everyone, and
involved with thelan are
p �
�� v � � � wanted to involve the public he finds it more convenient
hoping than a light-rail or
early in deciding where ;thethan bus routes.
a bus rapid -transit system
- bus or light-rail could poten- "But, it's not my . deci-
would attract revenue-
�tially go, hosting the open sion," he added. "It's the
boosting development to the
house prion to the 45�day community's decision."
corridor.
`` a scoping Period.
"Money likes to go where
"We're here early so you Kaitlyn Robb can he.
money .has been spent,''
r can .say; `I want to stop reached at 651-7487
said Lisa, Weik, the Gate -
here, or i i. don't want to stop 7814 and k r o b
wayCorridor Commission
here., erikins said..., , lillienews.com. Follow tier at
J
chair and a Washington :
. ,Drawing on his exile- twitter:com/KRob�News.
County commissioner who
represents a. large porion,of
:Woodbury.
VSTeik said that the cor-
ridor would be .an "infra- ''While many appeared Church in Oakdale to Min
structure investment," exeited about'the possibility. ;neapolis, where, 'he: works.
which could help' attract 'of connecting the metro and in brokerage and. financial'
developers to the area.. the suburbs through public.-, planning.
She said there was a lot. transit,.some didn't Iwant He said he attended the
Of.. respectfuf curiosity and' attendees to, forget it costs session: because he's inter -
interest about.the project money. ested'in improving express
at the open house. A Move MN campaign transif service between the
"The public is starting representative was hand- eastern suburbs and the
to realize this isn't 10 years ing out cards, reminding. metro area.
off," she said.' "It's more attendees that, the project While the light-rail or
tangible. They want, to needs funding in order _to express bus lane would
make sure we do it right." happen. The organization is improve . his commute by
The population within pushing state:lawmaker.s to offering him an alter. -native
the I-94 area is already increase transit funding in to driving, Gilbert noted
expected to increase by 30 the 2014legislativ'e session. that more traveling ameni-
percent by 2030,. jumping ties. could also draw busi-
firom the estimated 300,000 improving commute, ness to cities along the cor-
;people who are now living opening up job options ridor.
there. Richard Gilbert of Oak-. "I'm just glad to sde us get
Hundreds of thousands dale has taken, a bus from involved," he said, "It's time
;of cars are crossing the Sit. the park-and-ride lot at for St. Paul to catch up with
Croix River to enter Si. Paul Guardian Angels Catholic Minneapolis:"
daily, plarirlers say. Mark Jenkins; a Maple -