Consultant Chosen for Gateway Corridor DEIS

The Gateway Corridor Commission at their May 9 meeting recommended contracting with Kimley Horn to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS is the next step in the Federal Transit Administration process for developing a proposed transit line between St. Paul's Union Depot and Woodbury with connections to Hudson, WI and Minneapolis.

Kimley Horn, a national design consulting firm with offices in St. Paul, was one of two companies reviewed by an eleven-member panel of city, county, and metropolitan council representatives. Depth of experience and plans to engage communities in the process were among the deciding factors for selecting Kimley Horn.

The commission recommended Washington County Regional Railroad Authority, the commission's fiscal agent, enter into a contract on behalf of the commission for an amount not to exceed $3 million.

The purpose of the DEIS is to inform decision-makers and the public of the social, economic and environmental impact of the proposed transit line. Examples of impacts include those on wetlands, protected species of animals and plants, as well as impacts to people, such as minority populations and cultures.

Following the assessment, refinements will be made to the plans in order to ensure the proposed transitway provides the most benefit to the people that live and work in the corridor, with the least possible impact.

The environmental impact work will take approximately two years. During that time, a transit mode will be selected, either light rail or bus rapid transit in a dedicated lane.

Depending on study results and funding, the project could be complete by 2022. The public will have many opportunities to have input throughout the process.

The project seeks to provide 11 stations with all-day transit service, while providing a focal point for more concentrated development as the region grows. The work is led by the Gateway Corridor Commission, which is comprised of local elected officials, business and community leaders. More information is available at www.TheGatewayCorridor.com.

Submitted by the Gateway Corridor Commission.