Excitement is building for enhanced transit in Saint Paul

Ramsey County has been diligent in their efforts to understand what the  community thinks and feels about the Riverview Corridor Modern Streetcar project . After many conversations, open houses and listening sessions, the team has learned a great deal. There are concerns about issues like cost, safety  and the impact to local businesses. People are relieved to learn the majority of  the project would be funded with federal dollars and local funds already  dedicated to transit, which means no new Ramsey County taxes. Furthermore,  this initiative is not just about a streetcar. With significant funding being  dedicated to major improvements along the Riverview Corridor, this project is an  investment in safety, employment growth and enhanced connections. It’s a  holistic strategy to move the community in many positive ways. To bring more  vibrancy and safety back to downtown. To see a bustling crowd enjoying all  Saint Paul has to offer. It’s clear why there is growing excitement about what this  project brings to our community.

12 miles of enhanced connections

Running along State Highway 5 (West 7th Street), the Riverview Corridor modern streetcar project is a critical transit link with much to offer individuals, businesses, communities and our environment. It connects key destinations from Union Depot in downtown Saint Paul to the Mall of America and the MSP Airport. It also will link employers, small businesses and venues in Saint Paul’s neighborhoods and Bloomington’s South Loop while carefully addressing mobility needs and providing economic opportunities. This project is 12 miles of better access to destinations, increased property redevelopment and reinvestment, vastly improved road and bridge infrastructure and a safer, more inviting pedestrian environment.

The future is promising

• Improved Connectivity : More stops are planned at key locations, including Historic Fort Snelling, the Blue Line Fort Snelling Station and MSP Airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. This means more access to jobs, education and entertainment.
  
• Infrastructure Upgrades : A replacement of the 63-year-old Fort Road/Hwy 5 Bridge with an upper-deck bicycle and pedestrian plaza connecting both sides of the Mississippi River.

• Safety & Accessibility : More street crossings with signals, full road reconstruction of West 7 ^th Street from the Mississippi to downtown and better transit options will ensure a safer, more accessible journey for everyone. A new station at the Mall of America opens up the adjoining land for development and eliminates the Blue Line crossing on 24th Avenue.

• Economic Growth : Greater incentives for redevelopment drive increased job opportunities within the corridor.

• Better Air Quality : With reduced greenhouse gas emissions, the modern streetcar is a great way to improve our environment.
  
• Quiet Comfort : The modern streetcar is a quiet and smooth ride. And new weather-protected stations with real-time schedule updates will provide greater comfort for riders.

It’s a great time to get on board

With a vision for a vibrant and connected future, backed by substantial federal funding, Saint Paul can become a safer and more successful transit-connected city. But it’s a project that needs community support. Individuals and businesses can get involved by helping to shape the future of enhanced transit in our region.

Learn more about the benefits of enhanced transit and the modern streetcar project at riverviewcorridor.com . And get connected at these upcoming meetings and events .

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