Rush Line assessment 'major milestone' for east metro transit project

Supporters of the Rush Line bus rapid transit project say it will transform spotty public transportation service in the east metro, especially for a rising number of people who live in poverty and those without a car.

But a budding group of skeptics are asking whether it's wise to forge ahead with the project, which would connect Union Depot in St. Paul to White Bear Lake, as people continue to work from home in the post-COVID-19 economy.

And others worry that frequent bus service — every 10 to 15 minutes during rush hour — would compromise the small-town feel of downtown White Bear Lake.

Now after Ramsey County last week released its exhaustive environmental assessment of the Rush Line, the public will get a chance to comment on the project through June 25.

Transit planners called the assessment a "major milestone" that positions the project, expected to cost between $457 million and $475 million, to receive nearly half its funding from the Federal Transit Administration. The rest of the tab would be covered by Ramsey County, largely through an existing transit tax.

County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt said the Rush Line will serve as a vital link for residents and workers in downtown St. Paul, the city's East Side, Maplewood, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake and White Bear Lake — much of the district that she represents.

"I hope people will have an open mind, whether they support or oppose it," she said. "But hopefully their opinions will be based on facts in the documents."

Three years in the works, the Rush Line assessment serves as an economic, historical and environmental blueprint for the 15-mile project. It includes input from some 3,400 community members gleaned from virtual events, open houses and pop-up meetings.

"It hopefully incorporates all the public comment and feedback," said Andy Gitzlaff, senior transportation planner for Ramsey County. "It covers a lot, [but] we still want to hear from as many different people as we can in the community."

The Rush Line would operate on a dedicated guideway for about 70% of its route, which has 21 stations. Stops would be close to Hmong Village and Phalen Regional Park on the East Side, Maplewood Mall and 50 medical clinics and hospitals. Buses would run adjacent to the Bruce Vento Regional Trail for cyclists and pedestrians, on property owned by the county.

With service expected to begin in 2026, transit planners predict up to 7,400 passengers would use the line daily by 2040. The trip in environmentally friendly electric buses from Union Depot to White Bear Lake would be expected to take 47 minutes, and 44 minutes going south.

The Rush Line planning process has generally avoided the high-profile controversy that has dogged the Southwest light-rail line or the sort of difficulties that have plagued the Bottineau Blue Line extension.

A squabble did erupt three years ago over the original location planned for the project's northernmost station in downtown White Bear Lake.

More than 4,500 people signed a petition that said the stop "will destroy the charm and small-town feel" of the city's center, as well as increase traffic and congestion in the area. The proposed station subsequently was moved to a site at 7th Street and Washington Avenue. Yet many of the same concerns still simmer.

"This is something that is being done to us, not for us," said Greg Lees, a local native and 20-year resident. "A lot of people like the quaint feel of White Bear Lake, and that could be destroyed" with high-frequency bus service.

"People who live in this town are finally starting to wake up," he added.

Another White Bear Lake resident, Tim David, said commuter buses already running are not widely used. "This is not a good use of public money," he said.

Cindie Bloom, a 35-year White Bear Lake resident, said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way people work and commute to their jobs, perhaps forever.

"Until we know what is happening with ridership, we should at least pause" the Rush Line, she said, noting the Northstar Commuter Rail serving the northern suburbs has seen ridership plunge by 96% since the pandemic struck. "We need to reassess to see what makes the most sense."

The environmental assessment notes that people still rely on transit despite the outbreak. About 54% of the Rush Line's passengers are expected to use the service to get to work; the others would take the bus to school, medical appointments, the grocery store and other venues.

"In fact," the assessment notes, "the pandemic has underscored the importance of transit in providing essential workers with a means to get to work and provide essential services."

Planners will continue to monitor trends in travel patterns as the pandemic gradually ebbs.

Janet Moore • 612-673-7752

@ByJanetMoore