The Rush Line advisory committee has approved a bus rapid transit route that would run through downtown St. Paul to boost ridership as it travels from Union Depot and into White Bear Lake.

The Rush Line Policy Advisory Committee reviewed eight potential routes and whether to use buses or trains before its decision this past Thursday. The approved route, though, still faces potential challenges.

Going through downtown St. Paul supports an earlier decision to bypass Swede Hollow, pleasing park and trail advocates. Many, though, remain concerned about the route running along the Bruce Vento Regional Trail, with groups like the Friends of Swede Hollow and the Lower Phalen Creek Project worried about the impact to the recreational trail and nearby habitat.

St. Paul City Council Member Jane Prince said she is still reviewing the proposed route alignment. She said one initial concern is that the Rush Line doesn’t address East Seventh Street’s need for its own transit solution. The advisory committee has expressed support for pursuing separate transit investments, such as streetcars or bus service improvements, along East Seventh Street.

Public hearings will be held in April and an official vote in May by the affected communities.

According to the committee, a route along Phalen Boulevard, the Bruce Vento Trail and U.S. 61 “offers a reliable, convenient and affordable transportation choice for Saint Paul, Maplewood, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake and White Bear Lake.”

The St. Paul portion of the route would run from Phalen Village to the Union Depot in downtown St. Paul via Phalen Boulevard, Pennsylvania Avenue, Jackson Street and Robert Street. According to the committee, “This route serves the highest number of employment areas and equity populations, offers the fastest route, provides a convenient transfer to the Green Line and has the greatest ridership potential.” Related Articles St. Paul man threatened another man with a sword, charges say

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The 13-mile system would cost between $400 million and $475 million, according to Mike Rogers, transit project manager for the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority.

Ridership would be between 5,000 and 9,000 per weekday, said Rogers. The system could open as early as 2024.

In the future, officials may consider extending that line 17 more miles to Forest Lake. But that, said Rogers, depends on future development and demand in the area. The travel corridor eventually could run between St. Paul and Hinckley, serving about 20 eastern Minnesota communities in between.

A public hearing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m, April 27 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1390 Larpenteur Ave. in St. Paul. Comments can also be emailed to info@rushline.org or mailed to: Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority; Attn: Rush Line Corridor comments; 214 E. 4th Street, Suite 200; Saint Paul, MN 55101.

A formal vote will be held May 25 at the Task Force and Policy Advisory Committee, where affected cities and counties can vote before more detailed environmental and engineering work will begin. Local and federal funding has paid for pre-project development.

More information on the proposal is available at RushLine.org.

Bob Shaw and Frederick Melo contributed to this report.

RUSH LINE MAP AND HEARING INFORMATION