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Page 1 of 5

Gateway Corridor Commission October 11, 2012 Woodbury City Hall, Birch Room Members

Agency

Present

Rafael Ortega Ramsey County X Lisa Weik Washington County X Kathy Lantry St Paul X Will Rossbach Maplewood X Paul Reinke Oakdale X Mary Giuliani Stephens Woodbury X Dean Johnston Lake Elmo X Randy Nelson Afton X Dan Kyllo West Lakeland Township Brian Zeller Lakeland X Victoria Reinhardt, Alternate Ramsey County Gary Kriesel, Alternate Washington County Paul Rebholz, Alternate Woodbury Brett Emmons, Alternate Lake Elmo Pat Snyder, Alternate Afton Dave Schultz, Alternate West Lakeland Township X Peg Larson, Alternate Lakeland Ex‐Officio Members

Agency

Present

Mike Amundson Baytown Township Greg Watson Woodbury Chamber of Commerce X Richard McNamara Oakdale Business and Professional Assn Doug Stang 3M Tim Ramberg WI Gateway Coalition Zach Schwartz St Paul Chamber of Commerce X Others

Agency

Ted Schoenecker Washington County Mike Rogers Ramsey County Lyssa Leitner Washington County Andy Gitzlaff Washington County Sally Eral City of Landfall Stephen Ebner West Lakeland Township Josh Straka U.S. Representative Betty McCollum’s Office Kelly Stone U.S. Representative Betty McCollum’s Office Stephanie Eiler Ch2M Hill John Kaul Washington County Lobbyist


Page 2 of 5

Others

Agency

Allen Lovejoy St. Paul Public Works Klayton Eckles City of Woodbury Mikael Carlson East Side Property Campaign Janelle Dodd Cultural Wellness Center Mike Longaecker Woodbury Bulletin Joan Vanhala Alliance for Metropolitan Stability Steven Ellenwood Concerned Citizen Bob Tatreau Concerned Citizen The Gateway Corridor Commission convened at 3:34 p.m. by Chair Weik. Agenda Item #1. Introductions Introductions were made by those present. Agenda Item #2. Consent Items Item 2a. Summary of September 13, 2012 Meeting: Motion made by Johnston to approve the September 13, 2012 meeting summary. Seconded by Rossbach. Approved. Motion carried. Item 2b. Checks and Claims: A revised checks and claims sheet was submitted to the Commission members. Motion made Johnston to approve the revised checks and claims. Seconded by Rossbach. Approved. Motion carried. Agenda Item #3. Gateway Corridor AA Item 3a. Outreach Activities Schoenecker referred to the packet listing the previous and upcoming outreach activities. September outreach activities included presentations to District 5 Land Use Committee, Woodbury City Council, Woodbury Community Foundation, and a presentation at the APA MN State conference. Upcoming presentations include the Lions Club on December 4th, and a presentation to the St. Paul Transportation Committee at their November meeting. Item 3b. Alternative Analysis Update Gitzlaff gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Alternative Analysis Update and the results of the optimization study. He said the goals of the optimization work were to reduce the impacts and costs, and look for ways to increase ridership and benefits. Zeller asked if BRT is the selected option, is there something that could be done design‐wise that would lend itself to a later conversion to a LRT line without starting the process all over. Gitzlaff said that has been done in other areas of the US, and it is something we want plan for to keep that possibility open. Zeller said his thinking is with the design of the stations themselves. Schoenecker said that is the advantage of bringing both the BRT and LTR forward to the DEIS; you can bring those key components together. Eiler commented that the life‐cycles differ by component; in terms of stations, the structures will need updating regardless of which mode is chosen, but the space will be preserved. Gitzlaff noted a change in scheduled date of approval for the final AA report from November to


Page 3 of 5

December. This will allow more time for any requested presentations and public comments. Motion made by Johnston to approve the PAC recommendation to advance two alternatives and the updated rankings. Seconded by Ortega. Rossbach commented that at the PAC meeting he spoke against carrying two options forward. He said he has spent time between then and now speaking to people involved in this process and found a fair amount of skepticism about BRT; therefore, it seems important to a lot of people to carry both forward. Rossbach said he is now if favor of carrying two options forward to make sure the process answers the questions that people need answered. Weik commented that people in this region are not familiar with BRT; however, it is a well‐developed and understood technology in other parts of the country. She added that Cedar will have BRT opening soon with station‐to‐station service. Weik also noted that we can see that the optimized study was well worth the effort; it is a data driven study and BRT has taken a strong lead because it meets the project goals far better that the other alternatives. Johnston said he had some concerns about station locations, he asked for additional work to be done, and he agrees with the data driven process. Johnston amended his motion to include approval for staff to prepare the final AA report which would be made available for the public comment period. Ortega agreed to the motion amendment. Approved. Motion carried. Agenda Item #4. 2013 Draft Workplan and Budget Schoenecker referred to the Draft 2013 Workplan and Budget outlined in the packet stating it is very similar to years past. Two larger items included are increasing the Communications Consultant contract to $85,000, and the selection of DEIS Consultant (funding was included in the 2012 budget and will be carried over to 2013). Schoenecker said the increase for the Communications Consultant is due to increased time engaging with other entities and becoming more active with the business community. Schoenecker stated the final Workplan and Budget would be brought back to the Commission for approval in December. Rossbach referred to revenue and expenditures pages and asked where the money for the DEIS study would come from. Schoenecker said the funding is split between Ramsey and Washington Counties; it’s not shown in the draft because it was already part of the 2012 budget. Weik commented that the studies being done are Federally regulated studies. Rossbach said it seems odd that Commission members going to Washington to lobby for the group should have to pay their own way. Schoenecker said that was a decision made early on; however, it is at the discretion of the Commission and what the Commission wants to utilize the budget towards. Staff can highlight some of those options and bring them back to the Commission at the next meeting. Zeller said in some situations, that community represented is paying for their representative to attend. Rossbach commented that if it’s deemed to be important to have a representative present, it shouldn’t be the burden of one community for the entire group. Ortega suggested revisiting that issue for discussion. He asked for a historical perspective on travel


Page 4 of 5

discussions. Schoenecker said he believed it was discussed when the initial budgets and workplans were set up; if there was going to be travel, it would be the responsibility of that entity to pay for their expenses. Johnston commented that Lake Elmo paid for his recent trip to D.C. Reinke asked if there are concerns with overages in consultant fees and if that budget is on track. Schoenecker said staff recently sat down with the consultants to work out the remainder of the work scope and feel comfortable that we will be well within the budget. Zeller asked if the bylaws should be reviewed to look at the Commission’s membership and if they should be revised. If the project is going to stop in the proposed area, maybe Lakeland should remain informed, but may not require the same level of membership. Ortega commented that even though we have determined the corridor, it is only one corridor, and corridors are completed one piece at a time. He stated he has no objection with the current membership. Weik commented that even with the terminus at Manning, the same bus can continue with regular route service along I‐94 and even into Hudson. Agenda Item #6. Communications Item 4a. Social Media and Website Update Schoenecker referred to the information in the packet showing the website traffic. Agenda Item #5. Legislative Update Item 5a. State Schoenecker stated there is nothing new at this time due to elections; however, Washington County recently adopted its legislative platform which included a $1 million request in State bonding for preliminary engineering and the application to submit to the FTA. Ortega asked what the $1 million dollar request was based on. Schoenecker said it is based on what we would be doing in 2014; preparing the application after a LPA is selected. He added that it would not cover the entire preliminary engineering, but was a reasonable number to put in front of the legislature at this time. Ortega said he would like to see the complete number over a timeline; currently, $1 million doesn’t mean anything since we don’t know if we stretching it a bit or way below the needed funds. He asked if we should also be running parallel with a Federal request along the same timeline. Schoenecker said staff can prepare a schedule to show how the funding requests are lining up and when we should be making the big requests. Item 5b. Federal Schoenecker said there is nothing new at this time due to elections. Agenda Item #6. Other Item 6a. Meeting Dates Summary Weik referred to the packet highlighting upcoming meetings. Zeller asked if a November meeting was necessary. Schoenecker suggested keeping it scheduled at this time to see if there is enough new information to bring to the Commission. Weik said, to be respectful of the Commission member’s time, we can look to see if the items can wait until the December meeting. Item 6b. Social Media and Website Update Update is printed in the packet for Commission member’s information.


Page 5 of 5

Item 6c. Media Articles Update is printed in the packet for Commission member’s information. Agenda Item #7. Adjourn Motion made by Reinke to adjourn the meeting. Second by Johnston. Approved. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 4:21 p.m.

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1 | P a g e

Gateway Corridor Commission 2013 Draft Work Plan and Budget Approved: Date XX 1. Collaboration / Partnerships

The Gateway Corridor Commission will work with corridor municipalities, the Metropolitan Council, Metro Transit, the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation and Federal Agencies and the University of Minnesota to promote the advancement of the Gateway Corridor. To accomplish this, the Commission will do the following:

1. Offer guidance, monitor progress and prepare formal comments on studies that are being conducted or that could have an impact on the activities in the Gateway corridor.

2. Work with state and local agencies to identify regional priorities for the corridor. 3. Coordinate activities with the University of Minnesota through their Humphrey

School of Public Affairs Capstone Projects and the Center for Transportation Services (CTS) Transitways Impacts Research Program (TIRP).

2. Public Involvement

The commission’s public involvement activities will be developed to increase the awareness of the corridor, the commission, the importance of investing in transit in the corridor and the need for regional equity. Specific activities will include:

1. Utilize and implement recommendations from the Strategic Communication Plan. 2. Develop and expand a supporter base email distribution list. 3. Present to civic and community groups, businesses and chambers of commerce, and

local agencies throughout the Corridor. 4. Distribute materials including press releases, newsletters, fact sheets, and other

public information items. 5. Identify media recognition opportunities of commission meetings and events though

print, radio, and public access television. 6. Maintain / update the project website as new information about or affecting the

corridor becomes available. 3. Advocacy and Outreach

The commission will advocate for improved transit to serve the Corridor and the Twin Cities region. In addition to advocacy, the commission will reach out to other interested parties who are also working towards improvements in the Gateway corridor. Commission activities include:

1. Advocacy a. Travel to Washington DC to meet with the Corridor’s congressional delegation

and their staff and to meet with representatives from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) National Headquarters. This would include 2-3 members of the commission, a business representative and a labor representative.

2 | P a g e

i. Ramsey and Washington County’s federal lobbyist, Lockridge Grindal Nauen (LGN), would assist in coordinating this DC fly-in.

b. Inform local, state and federal elected officials of the need for transitway improvements in the Gateway Corridor.

c. Promote increased transit funding to improve and expand the existing transit service in the Corridor.

d. Establish positions and specific requests on legislative initiatives that affect the Gateway Corridor.

2. Outreach a. Identify and establish communication and action plan with the business

community along the corridor. b. Engage the various and diverse community groups along the corridor. c. Coordinate with the western Wisconsin communities, Wisconsin DOT, and

Wisconsin legislature on issues that impact the corridor in both states. d. Coordinate initiatives with other joint powers coalitions, the Counties Transit

Improvement Board (CTIB) and other regional planning groups.

To aid in advocacy and outreach activities, the commission will select a consultant that brings communications expertise to the commission. Some of the key items that the communications consultant will assist with would include:

Strategic messaging and material development

Website architecture and maintenance

Media relations strategies and engagement

Community engagement with a primary focus on the business community

Assist in broadening social media reach and activities

Preparation and/or assistance with advocacy video for the corridor

On-going communication strategy 4. Alternatives Analysis

The commission began the Alternatives Analysis (AA) for the corridor in 2010. The study is expected to be completed by the end of 2012. It is not expected that there will be much work need on the AA study in 2013; however, the commission will utilize the data, analysis and public involvement outreach from the AA study to help make an informed decisions that will be brought forward into the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

5. Draft Environment Impact Statement (DEIS)

The next phase in the development of the Gateway Corridor is to undertake the completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The purpose of the DEIS is to conduct a full and open evaluation of environmental issues and alternatives, and to inform decision-makers and the public of reasonable alternatives that could avoid or minimize adverse impacts and enhance the quality of the environment. The commission will:

1. Develop and approve the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the selection of a consultant to complete the DEIS.

3 | P a g e

2. Oversee and manage the selected consultant that will assist in identifying a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the corridor and following the established guidelines/processes for completion of the DEIS.

3. Continue to engage the various affected interests along the Gateway Corridor for the entire duration of the DEIS.

6. Management, Policy, and Administrative Activities Commission activities will include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Prepare and adopt the 2013 Work Plan and Budget 2. Prepare the annual financial report – 2012 3. Review insurance needs and procure appropriate insurance 4. Provide commission and staff administration 5. Manage commission expenses 6. Manage the consultants selected for any of the various work tasks undertaken by

the commission Commission Priorities for 2013

Support Washington County’s request for $1,000,000 in state bond funding for preliminary engineering in the 2013 State Legislative Session

Continue extensive public outreach efforts to seek input and engagement from citizens, the business community, elected officials, community advocacy groups, and various other stakeholders in the corridor

Manage consultant to finalize the Alternatives Analysis (AA)

Develop and release a Request for Quotes (RFQ) to select a consultant for on-going communications needs

Develop and release a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a consultant for the completion of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

Manage consultant to develop a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and completion of the DEIS

R:\Regional Rail Authority\Gateway Corridor\Gateway Corridor Commission\Workplan and Budget\2013\2013 Work Plan_10-4-12_Draft.docx

Gateway Corridor Commission

2013 Expenditures

Expenditure Category Amount

Public Involvement

Communications Consultant Contract 85,000$

- Community/business relations, material development,

messaging, website maintenance, media relations, etc.

Advocacy and Outreach

Federal and State Advocacy/Lobbying (1)-$

Supplies / Materials / Advertising / Printing 5,000$

Travel to Washington DC (2)-$

Travel to National Transit Conferences (2)-$

Data Collection and Summary -$

Management / Administration

Insurance 5,000$

Website Hosting -$

Studies / Capital Projects

-$

Contingency 5,000$

TOTAL 100,000$

(1) Ramsey and Washington County currently have existing contracts with federal and state lobbyists for

the Gateway corridor and other transit priorities. These services would be provided through existing

contracts.

(2) Travel to out of state events/conferences would be the responsibility of each individual member.

Total cost per person for a trip to DC is approximately $1,500 and trip to a national conference is

approximately $2,200.

Approved: Date XX

Gateway Corridor Commission

2013 Expenditures

Revenues Amount

Federal Appropriations -$

State Appropriations -$

Regional Railroad Authorities (1)

Ramsey County

- Commission Operations 50,000$

Washington County

- Commission Operations 50,000$

Other

Counties Transit Improvement Board -$

Local Communities -$

Private Contributions -$

TOTAL 100,000$

(1) Per the JPA, the financial contribution is split 50/50 between Ramsey and Washington County

Regional Railroad Authorities.

Approved: Date XX

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Gateway Corridor Commission Resolution No. 2012-04

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE WASHINGTON COUNTY REQUEST FOR $1,000,000 IN STATE BOND FUNDS FOR THE GATEWAY

CORRIDOR

WHEREAS, the Gateway Corridor Commission (Commission) was established in March of 2009 to address transportation needs in the I-94 Corridor; and WHEREAS, the I-94 Corridor is the principal east/west route for traffic through Ramsey and Washington Counties connecting St. Paul to the eastern metropolitan area; and WHEREAS, the I-94 Corridor is experiencing robust employment and population growth; and WHEREAS, the Commission is finalizing an Alternatives Analysis (AA) that examined mode, ridership, alignment, and costs for a future transitway generally following the I-94 corridor; and WHEREAS, the next step in the development of this transitway will be the completion of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) starting in 2013; and WHEREAS, a locally preferred alternative (LPA) will be officially adopted as part of the DEIS process; and WHEREAS, the DEIS is fully funded with committed funding from the Gateway Corridor financial partner; and WHEREAS, additional resources will be needed to advance the transitway through preliminary engineering and construction; and WHEREAS, Washington County is requesting $1,000,000 in state bond funds for preliminary engineering work post the locally preferred alternative decision and/or New Starts submittal application preparation for the Gateway Corridor; and WHEREAS, the Commission recognized that the $1 million is a down payment on the State’s overall investment in the Gateway Corridor. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Commission hereby supports Washington County’s request for the State of Minnesota to provide $1,000,000 in state bond funds to Washington County for preliminary engineering work post the locally preferred alternative decision and/or New Starts submittal application preparation for the Gateway Corridor, based on the recommendations from the AA study and DEIS

Approved: _______________________________ _________________________ Chairperson Date Approved by Commission

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and correct copy of the Resolution presented to and adopted by the Gateway Corridor Commission at a duly authorized meeting thereof held on the _____ day of _____ , 2012 as shown by the minutes of said meeting in my possession. YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT REINHARDT WEIK LANTRY ROSSBACH REINKE GIULIANI STEPHENS JOHNSTON KYLLO NELSON ZELLER

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TO: Gateway Corridor Commission

FROM: Darin Broton, Tunheim

RE: Scope of Work for Gateway Corridor Commission

DATE: December 4, 2012

As the Commission starts its process of assessing communications needs for 2013, Tunheim has drafted an extended scope of work and budget to continue providing communications and online support through February 28, 2013. The scope of work and budget is an amendment to Tunheim’s current contract, which ends on December 31, 2012.

SCOPE OF WORK

Strategic Counsel – Tunheim will assist the Gateway Corridor Commission with developing ideas, strategies and tactics promoting the corridor. Strategic counsel activities include, but not limited to, biweekly calls.

Website Hosting and Content Management – Tunheim will continue to host the Gateway Corridor website and assist staff with any structural changes in the website.

Public Relations Support – Tunheim will continue to develop content for the corridor’s website and submissions for community newsletters. Tunheim will also continue to draft media advisories and releases for the Commission.

COMPENSATION/BILLING

Fees for services provided under this scope of work will be based on actual hours worked at Tunheim’s standard hourly billing rates ranging from $75-$350. Total fees for this project are not to exceed $4,000, including out of pocket expenses. Project summaries will be included in monthly invoices. No work will be initiated without prior approval of the contract manager.

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udson Road –

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Agenda Item 6c 12/7/2012

1

FTA Coordination Strategy / MAP-21 Update

Donald J EmersonParsons Brinckerhoff

[email protected]

Review of MAP-21 changes to New StartsAcceptance into Project DevelopmentStarting NEPA to keep project moving ahead

NEPA ScopingTips on Coordinating with FTAEIS Schedule

Influencing FTA guidance

Topics to be Covered

2


2

To be eligible for New Starts or Small Starts funds, BRT must

Be a substantial investment in a single route in a defined corridorInclude features that “emulate” rail – stations, signal priority, “short headway bi-directional service for substantial part of weekdays and weekend days”

Two types of BRT projects are recognizedFixed Guideway BRT Projects, where “majority operates in separated ROW dedicated for public transportation during peak periods”Corridor Based BRT Projects, where majority does not operate in separate, dedicated ROW. Such projects are eligible for Small Starts funds.

MAP-21 Changes to BRT Project Eligibility

3

New Starts Process under MAP-21

EngineeringCommitment of Non-Federal Funds

Construction Plans, ROW Acquisition,FTA Evaluation for FFGA

Proj

ect M

anag

emen

tO

vers

ight

Construction

Project DevelopmentComplete NEPA Process

Confirm Locally Preferred AlternativeAddress New Starts Criteria

FTA Acceptance intoProject Development

FTA Approval into Engineering

Full Funding Grant Agreement

Planning

Project Description

2-year limit


3

Our advice is to wait to apply for Project Development until:

FTA has provided guidanceA locally preferred alternative is selected and included in Met Council’s transportation planMet Council has concurred with submitting the applicationThere is confidence in the ability to complete project development within 2 years

Meanwhile, press ahead with NEPA to keep project moving ahead

Acceptance into Project Development

5

NEPA basicsNEPA applies to federal actions – it is a federal process leading to federal documents – but can be used to help reach local decisionsProcess and documentation depends on significance of impactsFor Gateway project, we expect an EIS will be neededFTA looks to the project sponsor to do the analysis and write the EIS, but retains responsibility for approval

“Scoping” is first step – to engage agencies and public in establishing the scope of the EIS

Alternatives to be consideredEnvironmental issues of importanceRoles, responsibilities, and points of engagement

Starting NEPA

6


4

FTA will want to be involved prior to ScopingLocal lead agency and its technical capacityCooperating and participating agenciesType of document to be preparedPurpose and NeedRange of AlternativesPotential impacts to be addressed and level of analysis

Intent is to take both BRT and LRT into Scoping

Scoping the I-94 Gateway EIS

7

Talk to FTA early, often, regularlyCoordination has already begun – document reviews, meetings, conference callsEngage FTA as a partner“Squeaky wheel gets the grease”

Develop a “Roadmap” for tracking schedule and holding everyone to timeline

Tips for Coordinating with FTA during the EIS

8


5

EIS Schedule

9

NEPA Scoping of Most Promising Alternatives

April 2013 – October 2013

LPA Input and Decision (Commission, County and City Partners)

October -November 2013

LPA Action through Transportation Policy Plan Amendment (Metropolitan Council)

November 2013 –April 2014

Seek FTA acceptance into Project Development

April – May 2014

Draft EIS Preparation, Distribution, Comment Period

November 2013 – April 2015

Final EIS and Record of Decision May 2015 – May 2016

FTA is developing regulations and guidance on BRT eligibility under MAP-21

Will define what is meant by “short headway bi-directional service for substantial part of weekdays and weekend days”The AA assumed weekend service at 15 minute headways in peak, and 30 minute headways off-peak and weekends, 18 hours per dayFTA may require other features, like branding

Gateway in collaboration with the Met Council and other regional partners should:

Review and comment on drafts when released by FTAJoin with industry groups, such as APTA, to offer comments in advance of FTA draftsCommunicate directly with FTA in advance of drafts

Influencing FTA Guidance on BRT

10


6

Questions?

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Weekly Update Week of November 26-30 Congress returned this week from the Thanksgiving holiday to continue negotiations with President Obama to avert the pending January fiscal cliff. Progress thus far is slow with only 32 days before the Bush-era tax cuts, the payroll tax holiday, extended unemployment benefits expire, and subsequent automatic spending cuts occur. If Congress acts on a long-term solution to avert this "fiscal cliff," such action is expected to include comprehensive deficit reduction. Many observers believe that a "grand bargain," which would include a detailed plan that identifies specific ways to achieve deficit reduction, is a long shot during the lame duck session. If a deal is reached, it is more probable that the agreement will establish a broad framework for achieving deficit reduction, with specific cuts and reforms left to the new Congress to decide. While the outcome of the lame duck session is uncertain, if and when a deficit reduction agreement is reached, it will likely contain changes to entitlement programs, such as federal health programs. In this Update Fiscal Cliff

Natural Disaster Relief

Key Upcoming Dates

Special News Notes Events

Minnesota Delegation Notes

Additional Media

Fiscal Cliff Negotiations

LGN Federal Relations Contacts

Dennis McGrann Federal Relations Director 202-544-9840 T 202-544-9850 F Email Vcard Bio Megan Knight Federal Relations 202-544-9840 T 202-544-9850 F Email Vcard Bio Emily Tranter Federal Relations 202-544-9840 T 202-544-9850 F Email Vcard Bio Andy Burmeister Federal Relations 202-544-9840 T 202-544-9850 F Email Vcard Bio

Page 1 of 7Lockridge Grindal Nauen Federal Weekly Update

12/7/2012http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=fn6u5xeab&v=001J8BvtJGIt7uojsOT...

Fiscal cliff talks between administration officials and lawmakers resumed this week, but despite praise from both sides, the bipartisan Simpon-Bowles deficit reduction framework did not gain traction with negotiators. House Leaders rejected the White House's opening offer in fiscal cliff talks Thursday, leading to a round of finger-pointing between both sides and claims that neither was ready to seriously negotiate. The proposal, includes the nearly $1.6 trillion in additional tax revenue over 10 years that the White House earlier endorsed largely by allowing an increase in upper-bracket income tax rates. It would also postpone for a year the automatic cuts in discretionary spending scheduled to begin next year, trim $400 billion from federal health care programs, renew extended unemployment compensation and extend a "patch" for the alternative minimum tax as well as tax incentives for businesses. Republicans were especially critical of a proposal to put in place a new mechanism that would increase the government's borrowing limit without congressional approval. As negotiations unfold, Democrats appear to have a good shot at raising taxes next year on capital gains and dividends, the investment income that forms an important share of the earnings for the wealthiest taxpayers. Increasing the top tax rate on long-term capital gains and dividends from 15 percent to 20 percent would raise $100 billion to $120 billion over 10 years, according to White House estimates. Arguing that capital gains and dividends taxes discourage risk-taking and investment, Republicans have long tried to keep the levies as low as possible, but it could be difficult for them to prevent some sort of tax increase on investment income. top

Natural Disaster Relief Sources indicate Congress will not write an emergency aid package for Hurricane Sandy victims until the White House weighs in, but communities hit hard by the storm are already lining up multibillion-dollar relief requests. About $1.9 billion has already been allocated for damage caused by Sandy, leaving about $5.4 billion in the nation's Disaster Relief Fund as of Monday. The growing possibility for a supplemental spending bill adds a new challenge for Congress in a lame-duck session already long expected to be dominated by tough fights over expiring tax rates and looming spending cuts. Congress has several options for moving a Sandy disaster relief package,



including moving the measure as stand-alone legislation, attaching it to a potential year-end omnibus package or possibly tacking it onto an extension of the current stopgap spending law (PL 112-175) that expires March 27. New York and New Jersey lawmakers and officials are outlining their aid requests and saying they should not be offset by other spending cuts. New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg wrote in a Monday letter to the New York congressional delegation that his city "will struggle to recover in the long term unless expedited federal funding is supplied." Bloomberg gave an initial estimate of the total cost of the storm at $19 billion and said he expected at least $5.4 billion in federal aid. After a meeting of lawmakers and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday, Charles E. Schumer of New York, the Senate's No. 3 Democrat, said a Sandy disaster relief package would be introduced in December but clearing it "will not be an easy task, particularly given the impending fiscal cliff and a Congress that has been much less friendly to disaster relief than in the past." New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie last week released an initial estimate of about $29.4 billion in damage for his state but didn't break out how much would need to come from the federal government. top

Key Upcoming Dates January 1, 2013 Federal income tax rates are scheduled to increase, reverting to pre-2001 levels. The most recent "patch" to the alternative minimum tax is scheduled to expire, as is the 2 percent payroll tax reduction. January 2, 2013 Spending reductions mandated by the Budget Control Act, collectively known as sequestration, are scheduled to take effect. January 3, 2013 The 113th Congress convenes. New Members are Sworn-In Late January, 2013 The President's annual State of the Union address to Congress. February 4, 2013 By statute, the President is required to submit his annual budget



proposal to Congress by the first Monday in February Mid-February, 2013 The federal government is expected to reach the limit of its borrowing authority, necessitating congressional approval for increasing the debt limit. March 27, 2013 The current continuing appropriations law expires. top

SPECIAL NEWS NOTES & EVENTS:

National League of Cities Congress of Cities November 29th-December 1st, 2012, Boston, MA

Lockridge Grindal Nauen's Dennis McGrann attended the annual National League of Cities Congress of Cities. According to NLC, The goal of the event is to bring together local leaders from cities across the United States. Conference participants find a range of learning and networking opportunities highlighting successful programs from the City of Boston and communities across the country. Aviation Noise Policy Summit

Wednesday, November 28, 2012-Boston, MA

Dennis McGrann spoke to a group of elected officials from across the country at the annual National Organization to Insure a Sound-Controlled Environment (N.O.I.S.E.) Policy Summit. The Summit is in conjunction with the National League of Cities Annual Convention. Event Honoring Congressman-Elect Rick Nolan (D-MN-08) November 30th, 2012 - Washington, DC

Lockridge Grindal Nauen hosted an event at the Home of Dennis and Elena McGrann in honor of Congressman-Elect Rick Nolan. Congressman Jim Oberstar along with Congresswoman Betty McCollum were in attendance. top

MINNESOTA DELEGATION NOTES



Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced a bipartisan bill to deal with the more than 80% jump in metal theft since 2009, a problem that has affected communities across the state. Read the full press release here. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) is cosponsoring the Strategic Response to Asian Carp Invasion Act, an effort to help prevent the spread of Asian Carp to Minnesota waters. The bill would entail a multi-agency effort coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read the full press release here. Representative Tim Walz (D-MN-01) sat down for an interview with Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Crann to discuss his expectations for the lame duck session, touching on everything from the "fiscal cliff" to the Farm Bill. The full interview is available from MPR here. Representative John Kline (R-MN-02) will return to his position as Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for the 113th Congress. The full story and a list of all House committee chairs is available here. Representative Erik Paulsen (R-MN-03) commended Feed My Starving Children, a Minnesota based service organization, for their 25 years of service on the floor of the House. Watch the full speech here. Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) sat down with the Washington County Board of Commissioners to discuss issues in the county that is now part of her district. The full article on the meeting is available here. Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN-05) released a statement concerning a potential "grand bargain" to avoid the fiscal cliff, stating his opposition to any cuts to beneficiaries of Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security. Read the press release here. Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN-06) and Congresswoman Karen Bass of California, the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of National Adoption Month and National Adoption Day. The full news story is available here. Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN-07) honored the members of the four tribal nations in the 7th District: the Red Lake Nation, White Earth Nation, Upper Sioux and Lower Sioux Communitiesin recognition of Native American Heritage Month. The Congressman's newsletter is available here.



Representative Chip Cravaack (R-MN-08) sat down for an interview with MinnPost to reflect on the election and talk about the "fiscal cliff" discussion. The full interview is available here. top

ADDITIONAL MEDIA: CQ NEWS - POLICY Nov. 27, 2012 - 2:43 p.m. GOP Lawmakers Seek More Drilling in Fiscal Deal By Lauren Gardner, CQ Roll Call House Republicans from the West are pressing their leadership to include an expansion of drilling in federal waters and on public lands - as well as a sale of federal lands - as revenue generators in a fiscal cliff deal. The push resurrects a concept advanced by House Republicans during debate last year on the highway bill, when the chamber passed legislation (HR 3408) that would have used royalties from oil and gas production to help pay for infrastructure projects. That measure would have expanded lease sales to include areas off the Southern California, eastern Gulf of Mexico and mid-Atlantic coastlines, in addition to opening up Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. In a Nov. 26 letter to House Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio, Republicans Rob Bishop of Utah and Steve Pearce of New Mexico wrote that freeing a "small area" of the Arctic refuge could spur up to $50 billion in royalty payments. They also pointed to areas of the West known to contain vast quantities of oil shale, where the Obama administration recently limited access for commercial leasing. "By tapping into our nation's abundant energy resources, we could boost revenues through increased economic activity, job creation, and payments to the U.S. Treasury," they said. Bishop and Pearce are also promoting the divestment of the federal government's land holdings in the West, most of which are controlled by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service, to reduce management costs and boost economic activity in those areas. The proposal would probably appeal to GOP members who acknowledge a need for more revenue in any budget deal but remain opposed to raising tax rates. But tapping resources within protected areas such as the Arctic refuge, not to mention selling off government-held land in the West, would be non-starters in a Democratic-controlled Senate.



Bishop and Pearce did support another revenue option that was also endorsed by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform-liquidating surplus properties that the Government Accountability Office says number more than 55,000. "The proceeds from the sale of these excess properties, along with operations and maintenance savings, could save billions of dollars annually," they wrote. Source: CQ News Round-the-clock coverage of news from Capitol Hill. © 2012 CQ Roll Call All Rights Reserved. top

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Item 8c

Transit stations moved into Woodbury http://www.startribune.com/local/east/180401981.html By: Kevin Giles, Star Tribune, November 23, 2012 An updated Gateway Corridor plan changes the transit route. Bus rapid transit is preferred, but light-rail trains also will be considered.

A proposed Gateway Corridor public transit route now will run through northern Woodbury to take advantage of business development potential and make it easier for riders to climb aboard buses or trains.

The new route will follow Hudson Road on the north side of Interstate 94 in Oakdale, but cross to the south side of the freeway just west of Radio Drive in Woodbury. It then would head east to Manning Avenue.

Park and ride stations inside Washington County would be built at Oaks Business Park in Oakdale, at the intersection of Hudson Road and Woodbury Drive in Woodbury, and at Manning Avenue.

"We're here before this board with what we envision as a milestone moment for this project," Andy Gitzlaff, a county transportation coordinator, told commissioners at a meeting last week.

Planners envision Gateway Corridor transit as critical to reducing freeway commuter traffic congestion between St. Paul and the St. Croix River. Bus rapid transit (BRT) or light-rail trains (LRT) will link to the refurbished Union Depot in St. Paul, where commuters continuing to Minneapolis could board other buses or the new Central Corridor light-rail train, also known as the "Green Line," that will open in 2014.

An earlier plan for Gateway Corridor put the transit route down the middle of I-94 where it was less accessible for riders and businesses, Gitzlaff said. BRT remains the principal favored means of transit, but LRT also will be considered in the next round of studies, he said.

Washington County has a deep interest in potential economic development associated with Gateway Corridor because of the money-generating power of Woodbury, the county's largest city. Woodbury is the county's economic engine, producing considerable tax revenue, and the city wants to open a major new business district on vacant land in the northeast corner of the city.

The Manning Avenue station would be built in that business development, according to current plans.

But city and county leaders also hope that transit will attract a tenant for the huge State Farm complex at I-94 and Radio Drive that's sat empty for eight years. Woodbury lost 1,500 jobs when State Farm moved its headquarters to Lincoln, Neb., and a smaller office in Mendota Heights.

Lisa Weik, who represents Woodbury on the county board and also chairs the Gateway Corridor Commission, said she expects to see construction of the transit line by 2019.

In a separate meeting with the county board last week, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum urged commissioners to take control of transit planning along Hwy. 36 before traffic from a new St. Croix River bridge overwhelms that aging road and cities along it.

McCollum opposed the $690 million bridge project as excessively costly, preferring a smaller bridge instead. Unless the Minnesota Department of Transportation produces a comprehensive plan for Hwy. 36 from Oak Park Heights to Roseville, local property taxpayers could be on the hook for needed road

Item 8c

improvements, she said. Her Fourth District now includes all of Washington County, from Stillwater and Grant in the north to Woodbury and Afton in the south.

McCollum also warned that increases in traffic expected after the new bridge opens in 2017 could cause Hwy. 36 problems that in turn sap money from Gateway Corridor.

"I'm very concerned about the funding that's going to be there and how that's going to affect Gateway," she told the county board in a discussion of "mutual interests" last week. "We need to come together as east metro and come up with an east metro plan."

County commissioners voted 5-0 in recent years to endorse the bridge project.

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Item 8c

Two issues in which the county would look for federal help are the Gateway Corridor and Minnesota 36 improvements. Commissioners Dennis Hegberg and Lisa Weik both mentioned McCollum’s support of the corridor idea.

The Gateway Corridor is a proposed rapid transit line from the Twin Cities east into western Wisconsin along the Interstate 94 corridor.

McCollum said if the Gateway Corridor project is done, it has to be practical about the number of riders, future projections and cost of adding buses.

“If we’re going to do bus rapid transit, it has to be the real deal,” she said. “We have to look at what’s good today and what’s economical in the future. Part of leadership is leading into the future.”

McCollum said that transportation future will be affected by the new St. Croix River bridge, especially for communities along Minnesota 36. She said one reason she opposed the St. Croix bridge bill is that the state Department of Transportation was not saying they had all the money in line for the project.

She reminded commissioners how long it took North St. Paul to get the Margaret Street overpass at Minnesota 36.

“It took North St. Paul 40 years to get an above-grade crossing at Margaret Street. Forty years,” she said. “How does it (the bridge) affect Gateway and other projects in the queue. It has affected what has been our (North St. Paul) downtown. Many questions were raised with no answers to them. I don’t want dollars siphoned off 36 when we have other needs.”

McCollum also said she believes a deal will get done to avoid the looming fiscal cliff of tax increases and budget cuts because business owners are telling lawmakers that they want a plan and “certainty.”

“I think we’re moving forward on that,” she said, adding that she is not sure if the current Congress or the new Congress convening in January will vote on any fiscal cliff measure.

But McCollum warned that cuts will occur no matter what measure passes Congress.

“You will see some cuts that won’t be good for the county, won’t be good for cities, won’t be good for schools,” she said. “We have to take some bitter medicine to get well.”

But McCollum stressed that she and her staff are ready to work with commissioners and county officials now and when the new Congress convenes in about six weeks.

“Our staffs will get to know each other really well,” she said. “I’m excited about this district.”

Item 8c

Commission recommends rapid bus line for I-94 corridor http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/event/article/id/48909/ By: Hudson Star Observer, November 3, 2012 A commission set up to plan a mass transit system for the Interstate 94 corridor between Minneapolis and Eau Claire has come out with a recommendation for a high-speed bus line.

The Gateway Corridor Commission voted unanimously to advance the bus-rapid transit plan after months of considering a number of options, including light rail and commuter trains.

Gateway commissioners weighed the options against three main criteria: improving mobility; providing cost-effective, economically viable transit; and supporting economic development. The bus rapid-transit option received high marks among all criteria.

Any development of the bus line is still years away.

The rapid bus option is expected to cost $404 million and have annual operating expenses of about $10 million.

A study aimed at winnowing down the options concluded the rapid bus plan was the most promising, compared to the other options that were too expensive or wouldn’t foster economic development.

The plan is for a dedicated bus route through Woodbury that would run south of I-94 and to St. Paul’s Union Depot.

The route would be on the freeway in Wisconsin.

The plan calls for a park-and-ride facility at Carmichael Road in Hudson.

Dennis Darnold, Hudson’s community development director, said there are seven or eight possible locations for the park and ride. He said most of the sites, both north and south of the freeway, are now privately owned.

Darnold said the next steps for the commission will be to seek Federal Highway Administration funding and complete environmental reviews.

He doesn’t expect the plan to be implemented for another three to four years, if that soon.

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Item 8c

The proposed bus rapid transit or light rail line traveling north of I-94 into the East Side via East Seventh Street, White Bear Avenue and Hudson Road would have resulted in substantial - around 90 full and over 330 partial -- property takings. That was a major cause for concern for property owners along the proposed route, including those of the iconic Cherry Pit, Little Oven and Big Steer Meats. The three businesses potentially faced demolition since the intersection of White Bear and Minnehaha avenues would have been the location of one of the East Side transit stations on that route. Lantry said she felt the community had "overwhelmingly rejected" the White Bear-East Seventh route. She was especially relieved for those property owners who may have been considering remodeling projects and other investments into their properties but had put all that on hold as they anxiously awaited news on the Gateway Corridor route. She added the property impacts of the two favored options are "negligible" compared to the White Bear-East Seventh route since the transit line would be have its own dedicated lane. The Payne-Phalen District 5 Planning Council also "heard heavy concerns" about the potential property takings along White Bear Avenue and East Seventh Street, said Leslie McMurray, the council's executive director. The council did not take a formal position on a preferred transit route and option, McMurray said. However, the council did take a formal stance that the communities needed as much information about each proposed transit option and should have the opportunity to weigh in on the decisions.

Item 8c

Relief for the Gateway Corridor transit desert http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/blog/conrad-defiebre/relief-gateway-corridor-transit-desert By: Conrad Defiebre, October 15, 2012

You've probably heard of "food deserts," inner-city and deep-rural communities that lack good access to stores with healthy, affordable groceries.Well, east of St. Paul, there's a different kind of wasteland, relatively affluent suburbs with little or no transit.

Take Woodbury, for example. The growing city of 63,000 is within 10 miles of job centers in St. Paul and Maplewood, but has no bus service in the afternoons, evenings or on weekends. Without alternatives to driving, 150,000 vehicles a day clog Interstate Hwy. 94 in the Gateway Corridor from the St. Croix River to downtown St. Paul.

Since 2009, however, officials of Ramsey and Washington counties and cities comprising the Gateway Corridor Commission have been looking for ways out of this autocentric monoculture. In March, they eliminated one option, commuter rail along existing freight tracks, as too expensive at $1.3 billion and too short of ridership. This month they chose bus rapid transit (BRT) as their top priority solution, triggering further cost, operational and environmental analysis. Light rail will be a backup alternative in the new studies.

"I'm neither for or against light rail, but I am for the most cost-effective transit option," Lake Elmo Mayor Dean Johnston told Finance and Commerce in September. "Right now light rail isn't one of them."

That's because light rail along I-94 would cost about $1 billion to build, while BRT comes in at half the price or less. But light rail is projected to draw 10,000 riders a day compared with around 6,000 for BRT. There's plenty of time to sort this all out: The earliest planned opening of Gateway Corridor transit is in 2022.

BRT provides much of the comfort, speed and convenience of light rail, with sleek buses running all day on dedicated pavement between limited station stops. It's the transit mode being built along two Dakota County corridors into Bloomington and Minneapolis.

Washington County's spread-out, late-20th century development pattern is similar to Dakota's. BRT there got federal backing as part of a broad traffic improvement project from the southern suburbs to downtown Minneapolis, including changes to I-35W and Cedar Avenue.

Transit for the 21st century along I-94 or Hudson Road makes the same kind of sense, especially given projections of a near-30 percent increase in population along the Gateway Corridor by 2030. Already, traffic on I-94 in the corridor exceeds its design capacity. The Gateway project will compete for state and federal funding with several other high-quality transit proposals in the Twin Cities. After a public comment period through November, the commission plans to launch an environmental impact study required for federal help.

To comment, you can write the commission at Washington County Public Works Department, 11660 Myeron Road North Stillwater, MN 55082, phone (651) 430-4300, fax (651) 430-4350 or email [email protected]

Item 8c

Gateway Corridor panel greenlights high-speed buses http://www.woodburybulletin.com/event/article/id/42211/ By: Mike Longaecker, The Woodbury Bulletin, October 17, 2012

A plan to create a new busing corridor through Woodbury received its highest approval yet last week when a key transit panel voted to push it through for environmental study.

Gateway Corridor Commissioners unanimously approved a recommendation to advance the bus-rapid transit plan along in a process that is still years away.

The plan calls for a dedicated high-speed busing route that – through Woodbury – would run south of Interstate 94 to Manning Avenue, where the corridor would end after beginning at St. Paul’s Union Depot.

The decision effectively eliminates all other options commissioners had analyzed for months.

One other option, a light-rail plan, also was advanced through the process, though commissioners said its inclusion was largely for comparative purposes.

“BRT has taken a strategic lead,” said Gateway Corridor Commission Chairwoman and Washington County Board Member Lisa Weik, adding that advancing the light-rail option “will just make the future study results more robust.”

Gateway commissioners weighed the options against three main criteria: improving mobility, providing cost-effective, economically viable transit, and supporting economic development. The bus rapid-transit (BRT) option received high marks among all criteria.

“This is a very important day in this project’s progress,” said Gateway Corridor project manager Andy Gitzlaff.

The BRT option is slated to cost $404 million and about $10 million in annual operating costs. A study aimed at winnowing down the options concluded the BRT plan was the most promising, as compared to other options that were either deemed too expensive or didn’t foster economic development.

An option that called for creating a managed lane for rapid-transit buses was jettisoned since it was not eligible for federal funding, as the dedicated corridor option is. That option also received low marks since it called for stations to be built on I-94 medians; the study concluded that the station locations wouldn’t foster economic development.

“The commission’s charge was to determine if the east metro could build a cost-effective, economically viable transit option that improved mobility and supports future economic development,” Weik said. “The corridor’s population is projected to grow by 30 percent by 2030, creating a dedicated transit line along Hudson Road allows for the greatest access to the increasing population and job base in the east metro.”

The Gateway project is aimed at reducing projected traffic congestion in the east metro heading into the future, though the scope of the project has been reduced. Instead of plans to stretch out into western Wisconsin, the end point of the Gateway project is now set for the Manning Avenue terminal.

The project now moves on to preparation of draft environmental impact statement, which begins early next year.

Item 8c

Gateway Corridor: Bus rapid transit gets the nod http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_21777325/gateway-corridor-bus-rapid-transit-gets-nod By: Elizabeth Mohr, October 15, 2012

Gateway Corridor commissioners have selected bus rapid transit as the highest priority for the east metro transitway.

The commission's vote last week moves the transit corridor into the next phase of planning.

Public comments will be accepted through the end of November, then an environmental impact study will begin, a required step to get federal financing.

The Gateway Corridor runs between downtown Minneapolis and Eau Claire, Wis., roughly along Interstate 94. It's one of several transit corridors being studied in the metro that would expand on the current Hiawatha and Central Corridor lines to shuttle riders and reduce automobile traffic.

An alternatives analysis was launched in 2010 to study the corridor and the various modes of transit, including light rail, commuter rail and buses. Eight possible plans were narrowed in March, when commuter rail was eliminated because of its cost.

Last month, the commission announced that it had "optimized" some plans to increase ridership and decrease cost by tweaking some details, like adding a station in Landfall and shifting the transit guideway south of the interstate in one area.

On Thursday, the commission voted to move forward with a deeper analysis into bus rapid transit, with buses running on Hudson Road in Woodbury. Light-rail trains will be considered as a secondary choice.

"From what the data was telling us and the cost associated with it, BRT is the best option at this point," said Ted Schoenecker, Washington County's transportation planning manager. "The key is, if you're running in the same guideway, you're looking at the same basic footprint. Once the footprint is there, the impact of changing from BRT to LRT is not significant."

In early 2013, the commission will begin the environmental impact study by selecting a firm to carry out the analysis.

The study, building on the already completed alternatives analysis, will take a deeper look at engineering issues, station placements and any environmental impact transit will have on the corridor. It will take about two years, Schoenecker said.

For more information, visit thegatewaycorridor.com.

Item 8c

New BRT line along Hudson Road preferred transit route for the Gateway Corridor http://stillwatergazette.com/2012/10/12/new-brt-line-along-hudson-road-preferred-transit-route-for-the-gateway-corridor/ By: The Stillwater Gazette, October 12, 2012 After reviewing numerous options to improve transit connectivity of the east metro to downtowns St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Gateway Corridor Commission identified a dedicated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line along Hudson Road from St Paul to Woodbury as the best option for the region.

The Hudson road decision was the best option after extensive analysis and public involvement campaign spanning nearly two years.

BRT along Hudson Road was determined to best meets the Commission’s established goals of improving mobility, providing a cost-effective economically viable solution that promotes economic development, protects the natural environment, and preserves community quality of life and overall safety.

“The commission’s charge was to determine if the east metro could build a cost-effective, economically viable transit option that improved mobility and supports future economic development,” said Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik, chair of the Gateway Corridor Commission. “The corridor’s population is projected to grow by 30 percent by 2030, creating a dedicated transit line along Hudson Road allows for the greatest access to the increasing population and job base in the east metro.”

The line will provide a fast, reliable and convenient trip for travelers into downtown St. Paul and on to Minneapolis and other regional destinations. The 10 proposed station stops will provide connections to key destinations throughout the Corridor including Union Depot, Metro State University, SunRay Shopping Center, 3M and multiple commercial and job centers in the eastern suburbs.

“The decision to recommend the Hudson Road route was a result of numerous community meetings,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega. “Residents and business owners wanted a transit line that met the goals of mobility, economic development and preserving the quality of life. Hudson Road is that option the community can rally around and support.”

“Connecting the east metro to downtown St. Paul and the region’s transit system is great for business,” said Matt Kramer, president of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. “Transit in the Gateway Corridor will provide new opportunities for economic development and a critical link for employees commuting to their workplace.”

The public is encouraged to provide additional comments on the narrowing of alternatives by visiting the Gateway Corridor website at www.thegatewaycorridor.com. The Gateway Corridor Commission will also be releasing a draft of the Alternatives Analysis Final Report for public comment by the end of

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October. Once all comments are received the report will be revised as necessary. The Commission is scheduled to approve the final report at its December 13 meeting.

The next phase of the study, preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), is expected to start in early 2013. The Commission advanced the BRT Option along Hudson Road as well as the second highest ranked option, LRT (Light Rail Transit) along Hudson Road. LRT ranked second due to its higher capital costs for generating the same amount of riders as BRT. Both options have the same route, station stops and similar service plans. Advancing an LRT option forward as well provides an opportunity for a more detailed side-by-side comparison of the two transit technologies.

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Rapid bus transit plan would link St. Paul and Woodbury http://www.startribune.com/local/east/173917661.html By: Jim Anderson, Star Tribune, October 12, 2012

After studying a variety of options to ease one of the most congested roadways in the metro area, a panel has decided that a bus rapid transit (BRT) line linking St. Paul and Woodbury is just the ticket.

The decision, announced Friday, culminates two years of intensive study and public meetings in communities along Interstate 94 from the Twin Cities to Hudson, Wis., dubbed the Gateway Corridor.

It's part of an upcoming major transit makeover in the east metro with downtown St. Paul's Union Depot as the hub.

"The commission's charge was to determine if the east metro could build a cost-effective, economically viable transit option that improved mobility and supports future economic development," said Washington County Commissioner Lisa Weik, chair of the Gateway Corridor Commission.

Bus rapid transit allows buses to bypass stalled traffic in their own lanes or on the shoulders. The line envisioned by the commission would run along Hudson Road from St. Paul to Woodbury.

The commission looked at eight options -- including a light-rail line (an option still on the table) and a full-blown commuter line to Eau Claire, Wis. -- and concluded that bus rapid transit best met all its goals, including minimal impact on the environment and safety improvements.

Population along I-94 in the east metro is 300,000. More than 90,000 vehicles cross the St. Croix River at Hudson each day; by the time traffic reaches St. Paul, the number of vehicles swells to 150,000.

The corridor population is expected to grow 30 percent in the next 20 years, along with 30,000 new jobs.

Before the commission began its work, there was no major capital highway investment planned for the corridor to address that growth. Even when the new St. Croix Bridge is built, I-94's capacity to handle the heavier load will be inadequate. That's why the commission looked at multiple solutions.

The commission envisions a bus-only lane from St. Paul to the vicinity of Manning Avenue in Woodbury and Lake Elmo, with buses running at all times of the day.

The lane would begin at Union Depot and run along the north side of I-94, between the freeway and Hudson Road, and the I-94 median, where one exists.

Though still on the drawing board, a major business, residential and retail development is in the works for the southeast corner of the Manning Avenue/I-94 interchange, including a transit station. There would be 10 proposed station stops, including Union Depot, Metro State University, Sun Ray Shopping Center, 3M and other job centers.

The next step in the planning process is a draft environmental impact statement, which will be drawn up starting early next year.

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