HomeMy WebLinkAboutRamsey County letter Proposing Alt Route on WBARAMSEY COUNTY
Board of Commissioners
March 22, 2023
Mayor Marylee Abrams
City of Maplewood
1830 County Road B E
Maplewood, MN 55109
Mayor Abrams:
Ramsey County has been following the developments within the Purple Line Advisory Committee
Workshops. We remain committed to a successful METRO Purple Line and recognize that partnerships
are key to achieving that success.
To that end, we have decided to pursue additional community engagement, route analysis and
collaboration with Maplewood, and other project stakeholders, for the Purple Line. We have withdrawn
our support for the submittal of federal rating documentation in August and will instead focus on the
reevaluation of White Bear Avenue as an alternative route for the Purple Line.
The reevaluation of White Bear Avenue at a sufficient level of detail to allow for its comparison with the
Ramsey County Rail alignment will enable project stakeholders to decide on the preferred route prior to
advancing the project further into design. Ramsey County's support for the reevaluation of White Bear
Avenue is contingent upon the use of the existing right-of-way consistent with our All -Abilities
Transportation Network which prioritizes pedestrians, bicycles, and transit before automobiles. This
dedicated corridor will result in the conversion of one lane in each direction to a dedicated bus lane.
Ramsey County is more committed to transit than it ever has been. Even during times of uncertainty and
change, the county knows that the need for reliable, frequent, high -quality transit remains. Future
prosperity in Ramsey County, Maplewood and the entire east metro will require the presence of the
Purple Line and other important transit corridors like it to ensure access to health care, food, jobs and
vital services. We are excited to move forward with our partners and community to ensure this vision
becomes a reality.
Sincerely,
Trista MatasCastillo
Chair, Ramsey County Board of Commissioners
Rafael E. Ortega
Chair, Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority
Victoria Reinhardt
Commissioner, District 7
220 Courthouse '
15 West Kellogg Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 266-8350
_ www.co.ramsey.mmus