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Table of Contents

1. What is the Red Rock Corridor?
2. What work has already been completed?
3. Who is leading the Red Rock Corridor work?
4. What is the Alternatives Analysis-Scoping Study?
5. What is the next step for the Red Rock Corridor?
6. Where do ridership estimates come from?
7. How will the Red Rock Corridor fit in with other regional transit improvements?
8. Will the Red Rock Corridor compete with the Central Corridor?
9. Will the Red Rock Corridor be extended?
10. What is high speed rail?
11. Will the Wakota Bridge Project solve the congestion problem?
12. Where will stations be located?

Q: What is the Red Rock Corridor?

A:  The Red Rock Corridor is a 30-mile long transit route originating in Hastings , traveling through St. Paul and terminating in downtown Minneapolis .  The corridor is generally parallel to Highway 61, Interstate 94, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian Pacific rail lines.

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Q: What work has already been completed?

A:  The Red Rock Corridor has completed its Commuter Rail Feasibility Study which resulted in commuter rail being an appropriate technology for the corridor.  This work followed the completion of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) Commuter Rail System Plan, which identified the corridor as the second priority for commuter rail following the Northstar Corridor.

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Q: Who is leading the Red Rock Corridor work? Why doesn't ... ?

A:  The Red Rock Corridor Commission is leading the work on the Red Rock Corridor.  The Commission is made of up the following representatives:

·         Dakota County

·         Washington County

·         Ramsey County

·         Hennepin County

·         City of Hastings

·         Denmark Township

·         City of Cottage Grove

·         City of St. Paul Park

·         City of Newport

·         City of St. Paul  

·         City of Minneapolis

·         Goodhue County (ex-officio)

·         City of Red Wing (ex-officio)

·         Prairie Island Indian Community     
      (ex-officio)

·         Canadian Pacific Railway (ex-officio)

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Q: What is the Alternatives Analysis-Scoping Study?

A:  The Alternatives Analysis-Scoping (AA) Study is part of the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program.  The New Starts program is primary vehicle the federal government uses to provide financial assistance for fixed guideway transit projects.  Alternatives Analysis, Preliminary Engineering, and Final Design are the three phases prior to funding being awarded for the project’s construction.  

The Red Rock Corridor is in the Alternatives Analysis phase. The Alternatives Analysis Study (AA) will analyze alignments and transportation alternatives in the corridor.  This study will provide information to the public on the benefits, costs, and impacts of each alternative.  Specific alternatives that are to be included are:

·         No Build (no improvements beyond 
      what is currently planned)

·         Transportation System Management 
      (lower cost capital improvements)

·         Build Alternatives (commuter rail, 
      bus rapid transit, etc.)  

This study will not result in the selection of a single preferred alternative for the corridor.  Instead, it will provide the Red Rock Corridor Commission with the information necessary to select those alternatives that should progress into more detailed study in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.   The AA study is underway, and is will be completed in 2006.

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Q: What is the next step for the Red Rock Corridor?

A: The next step for the Corridor is the completion of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a limited number of alternatives.  The completion of the DEIS will result in the selection of a single transit alternative for the corridor.  The DEIS will take approximately 2 years to complete.

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Q: Where do ridership estimates come from?

A:  Ridership is generated from a computer model.  The model uses various inputs including population, number of jobs, and travel time to generate ridership figures for the corridor.   Riders are likely to use the Red Rock Corridor for commuting to work or school, entertainment and shopping, and accessing the various destinations along the Northstar and Hiawatha lines.

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Q: How will the Red Rock Corridor fit in with other regional transit improvements?

A: The Red Rock Corridor will seamlessly meet other transit improvements at its stations.  At downtown St. Paul ’s Union Depot, Red Rock will connect with regular transit buses, taxis, intercity bus (Greyhound and Jefferson Lines), light rail, commuter rail, and Amtrak.  In the downtown Minneapolis Intermodal Station, Red Rock will connect to buses, taxis, light rail, and commuter rail.  At the other stations, Red Rock will connect with local bus service providing convenient connections between modes.  At all of the stations, services will be scheduled so that time between transfers is kept to a minimum. 

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Q: Will the Red Rock Corridor compete with the Central Corridor?

A: No, analysis completed by the Central Corridor showed that there is minimal overlap in the corridors’ markets.  This is because riders on the Central Corridor are more likely to travel to destinations primarily along University Avenue , while Red Rock riders are primarily destined for either downtown St. Paul or downtown Minneapolis .  Riders for each corridor take the system that provides them with the shortest travel time to their destination.  The Central Corridor analysis is being updated in the Red Rock AA Study, as well.

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Q: Will the Red Rock Corridor be extended?

A:  The Red Rock Corridor Commission is focused on implementing a transportation improvement in the Hastings through St. Paul to Minneapolis corridor and currently does not have plans to extend the corridor south of Hastings .  However, as opportunities arise, the option to extend the corridor will be re-evaluated.

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Q: What is high speed rail?

A:  High speed rail refers to a series of technologies involving trains traveling at top speeds of 90 to 300 mph.  Trains are time-competitive with air and/or auto travel for destinations 100 to 500 miles away.

The Midwest Regional Rail Initiative proposes a high speed rail corridor between St. Paul and Chicago .  The proposed corridor shares the Red Rock Corridor alignment from Hastings to St. Paul .  

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Q: Will the Wakota Bridge Project solve the congestion problem?

A: No, the Wakota Bridge Project is a spot improvement covering approximately 4 miles of the 30-mile Red Rock Corridor.  While this project addresses what is perceived as the problem, congestion, congestion is actually a symptom.  Congestion in the Corridor is caused by employment growth in downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis , and the residential growth in the remainder of the Corridor.  This growth has lead to an increased demand for travel during the peak hour on a transportation system that has limited peak hour capacity.  Improvements proposed for the Red Rock Corridor will address this problem by providing a transportation option that increases peak hour corridor capacity. 

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Q: Where will stations be located?

A: Station locations will be evaluated during the Red Rock AA study.  Input from communities and residents will be sought regarding these locations.  

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Revised: February 13, 2006 .