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Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority (RCRRA), in cooperation with the Red Rock Corridor Commission, has commissioned an East Metro Rail Capacity Study to identify impacts and recommend solutions to freight and passenger rail capacity constraints in the eastern metropolitan area. The purpose of this study is to identify how multiple high-speed, passenger and commuter rail corridors can utilize the freight rail system to access Union Depot, a regional multimodal transit hub in downtown St. Paul. The study area focuses on the rail lines on the east side of the Mississippi River from Union Depot southeast to Hastings, but also includes track north of the depot to Maryland Avenue and track on the west side of the Mississippi River to Rosemount.
Members of the public are invited to an open house to learn more about the recommendations contained in the draft study and to provide input on them.
WHAT: Open House
WHEN: Thursday, July 26, 2012, 6-8 p.m. (presentation at 6:30 p.m.)
WHERE: Union Depot, Suite 150, 214 4th Street E., St. Paul, MN 55101
There will be a brief project overview presentation at 6:30 p.m. Before and after the presentation there will be opportunity to view exhibits and speak with project staff.
Parking is available in the Lowertown Parking Ramp in the Twin Cities Public TV building. Enter off of Jackson or Sibley between Kellogg and 4th Street. You can come through the skyway into Union Depot, or enter from Sibley, Wacouta or 4th streets. On street parking may be available nearby, but it is unpredictable.
UPDATE: Download a draft copy of the study here.
It seems like one of the main obstacles is routing UP traffic through the study area,since connections between UP Mankato/Albert Lea/Altoona subs necessitate connections with BNSF and CP in the area of SPUD and Westminster and also the three UP bridges in St. Paul.
Has a short connection been considered along the west side of the river between the Mankato Sub and the industrial lead/Robert St.? This would be under 2.5 miles of new track,half of which is abandoned RR grade along Water Street.
This would enable connections between Mankato and Albert Lea subs without crossing the Mississippi,it would allow easier access to the UP Shakopee yard,and with a 1000′wye built for traffic from the north to cross the Pigs Eye swing bridge it would allow access to Hoffman Yard to the south from the Mankato Sub.
Finally,if the CP Merriam Park sub sees increased commuter/intercity rail traffic in the (hopefully not too distant) future,this connection would take freight pressure off tracks from Chestnut Street to Union Depot.