Riverview Corridor
What is the Riverview Corridor Modern Streetcar project?
The Riverview Corridor Modern Streetcar project is a 12-mile planned transportation connection, that will run generally along State Highway 5 (West 7th Street), connecting neighborhoods, anchor destinations and employers in downtown St. Paul, MSP Airport and the Mall of America. The route, station locations and transit vehicle were chosen during a study completed in 2017. This project addresses the mobility needs of an area with projected employment and population growth, including a transit reliant population that needs accessible and dependable service, and provides opportunities for economic development.
Refining the modern streetcar concept
Ramsey County is analyzing design concepts, working together with Saint Paul, Bloomington, Hennepin County, Metro Transit, MnDOT, tribal governments and other area stakeholders to find the right streetcar solution.The modern streetcar has many benefits:
FLEXIBLE - runs on rails in its own right-of-way or in shared lanes with traffic.
ACCESSIBLE - features level boarding to walk or roll directly onto streetcar.
EFFICIENT - faster boarding with pre-paid fares.
SUSTAINABLE - fully electric producing less air and noise pollution.
CAPACITY - carries more passengers than a bus.
Community engagement
Understanding what matters most to residents, business owners and others who travel in the Riverview Corridor is very important to the streetcar project. The goal is to provide a transit service that enhances mobility and accessibility for all residents, businesses, workers and supports economic opportunities, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. All aspects of the project are continuously being shared with residents for feedback.
Community feedback
Below are top comments provided by the community that will help guide the development of the Riverview Corridor Modern Streetcar project:
- Support for a modern streetcar project that improves mobility, access to jobs and other destinations and can be an incentive for redevelopment and reinvestment.
- Preference for streetcar to be in dedicated right-of-way on West 7th Street like light rail transit or give it signal priority so it can run as fast and reliable as possible, without being stopped or slowed down by traffic.
- Suggestion to use the Canadian Pacific spur to go through the Highland Bridge development and connect with the Blue Line at the 46th Street Station or use just the portion of the spur that parallels West 7th Street.
- Concern about the construction cost, the impact on the West 7th Street neighborhoods and the mobility benefit compared to a bus.
- Preference for an Arterial Bus Rapid Transit system instead of streetcar because it is cheaper and less impactful on local neighborhoods.
Project timeline
- 2014- 2017 – Concept review and evaluation.
- Modern streetcar chosen as Locally Preferred Alternative in December 2017.
- 2020- 2023 – Engineering and pre-environmental evaluation.
- Examines impacts and refines project design.
- 2024- 2025 – Project development.
- Preliminary design and environmental impact review.
- 2026- 2028 – Final engineering.
- Complete detailed engineering plans.
- 2029- 2031 – Construction.
- Build the project.
- 2032 – Planned start to service.
Interactive maps
A new web-based mapping tool allows you to view the planned Riverview Corridor Modern Streetcar route and station locations, as well as historical areas and key features along the corridor. You can also pin your comments or questions to select spots on the map or respond to comments and questions posted by others.
Questions? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage.