The Ramsey County Board committed nearly $40 million on Tuesday to support development of the Purple Line bus-rapid transit project in the east metro.
If built, the Purple Line — formerly known as the Rush Line — will connect Union Depot in downtown St. Paul to White Bear Lake and become the Twin Cities' fourth BRT line, following the Red, Orange and Gold lines.
The County Board also agreed to transfer supervision of the Purple Line to the Metropolitan Council later this year or in early 2022, a critical step needed to secure federal funding.
The Federal Transit Administration is expected to cover nearly half the cost to build the line, estimated to be between $457 million and $474 million, with Ramsey County covering the rest. Construction could begin in early 2024, with passenger service beginning in late 2026.
County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt on Tuesday recalled meeting a colleague nearly 25 years ago to discuss public transportation options in the east metro. At the time, she noted, those options were "nonexistent," a scenario that has since changed.
The Rush Line was originally envisioned to connect St. Paul with Hinckley, Minn., about 80 miles to the north, but over the years the route has been pared considerably. The current iteration links St. Paul's downtown and East Side with Maplewood, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, White Bear Township and White Bear Lake.
"This has been quite a ride, and it's not done yet," said Reinhardt, who characterized the transfer of the project to the Met Council as a "momentous occasion."
Not everyone is supportive of the line. A group called the No Rush Line Coalition has collected more than 4,500 signatures opposing it.
