Alternatives Analysis Update

The Rush Line Corridor Task Force, made up of more than two dozen elected officials from counties and municipalities along the corridor, undertook an alternatives analysis to examine transit improvements between Hinckley and the Twin Cities. The alternatives analysis was completed in 2009.

Rush Line Corridor map

The task force hired URS to complete the Alternatives Analysis. An Alternatives Analysis is the first phase in the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program, which funds new projects and extensions to existing transit systems. In the analysis, different routes and modes were evaluated for their benefits, costs and impacts. An Alternatives Analysis is a necessary step in the federal process to secure transit funding for a bus rapid transit, light rail transit, or commuter rail project. Different alignments and modes are studied to try to solve the transportation problems of a corridor.

The Task Force is holding a series of public meetings over the next year to discuss transit along the 80-mile corridor from St. Paul to Hinckley.
The current series of open houses began in June 2009. Click here for details.
Click here for the presentation made at June 2009 open houses
Click here for an updated corridor fact sheet
Click here for a fact sheet about Rush Line commuter coach service


2009 Rush Line Alternatives Analysis
1.0 Project Overview 2.0 Public and Agency Participation 3.0 Purpose and Need
4.0 Project Goals & Objectives 5.0 Universe of Alternatives 6.0 Screen 1- Fatal Flaw Analysis
7.0 Detailed Definition of Alternatives 8.0 Ridership Methodology 9.0 Operating and Maintenance Costs
10.0 Capital Costs 11.0 Environment and Community Issues 12.0 SCREEN 2 - DETAILED EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES
13.0 Implementation Plan and Next Steps