County OKs funds for Gateway Corridor study

Washington County will help fund an extension of the study of transit alternatives for the Gateway Corridor along Interstate 94 through Woodbury that transportation officials say will offer more detailed engineering and cost analysis.

Since 2010, the Gateway Corridor Commission -- a group of elected officials from communities along the St. Paul-to-western-Wisconsin transit route – has been studying which mass transit mode would best suit east metro commuters.

With the analysis almost complete, the commission is now asking to further refine the findings and provide decision makers more details. The expanded scope is estimated to cost $200,000; Washington County Board members approved an $80,000 contribution at their May 8 meeting. The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority will also contribute $80,000 and the Metropolitan Council is set to provide $40,000.

Officials said the extended study won’t slow completion of the alternatives analysis that began in October 2010 and is scheduled to conclude this year.

“There would be no delay in what we’re doing now,” said Ted Schoenecker, transportation planning manager for Washington County.

Unlike the Red Rock Corridor – where planners are pushing for a commuter rail line on existing tracks through south Washington County from St. Paul to Hastings – Gateway officials have said they prefer rapid bus transit for the Interstate 94 corridor, saying rail would be too expensive.

-Jon Avise

Tags: washington county, news, woodbury