New: Task Force holds open houses:
Click here for a fact sheet on Rush Line commuter coach service expected to begin in Spring 2010.
Click here for a fact sheet on the project and the transit alternatives analysis in the corridor

Welcome to the Rush Line Corridor

The 80-mile Rush Line Corridor begins at Minnesota's Union Depot in downtown St. Paul and generally follows Highway 61 and Interstate 35/35E north through Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Chisago and Pine counties to Hinckley.

Rush Line Corridor map

The corridor incorporates many roadway and railroad rights-of-way.  I-35E/I-35 is the major roadway to downtown St. Paul, but Highway 61 and County Road 30 are also important roadways. Class III (shortline) and Class I freight rail carriers operate in sections of the corridor. Other sections of railroad right-of-way have been abandoned by the freight railroads and acquired by Ramsey, Washington and Chisago counties.  Interim-use recreational trails exist on these former rail corridors, and include the Bruce Vento Regional Trail in Ramsey County, the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail in Washington County, and the Sunrise Prairie Trail in Chisago County.

Several transit operators provide bus service in the corridor. Metro Transit and private providers operate limited bus service between Lino Lakes and points south. County-based transit systems provide limited local service in the northern portion of the corridor.

Traffic is growing on Interstate 35, 35E and Highway 61 as development spreads north from the St. Paul-Minneapolis metropolitan area. Several traffic choke points already exist in the corridor, and more are projected based on development patterns and planned highway upgrades.

Click map for larger image (75.3k PDF)