Sponsor: Public Works
Title
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Approval of the Transit and Transportation Investment Plan
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Recommendation
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Approve the Transit and Transportation Investment Plan.
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Background and Rationale
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Transit and transportation initiatives in Ramsey County are funded through two sources: a property tax levy through the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) and the Ramsey County Transportation Sales and Use Tax (Sales and Use Tax) imposed through the Ramsey County Board.
In September 2024, Ramsey County made the decision to end its work related to the Riverview Corridor Project. A total of $730 million combined funding had been allocated from the ½ percent Sales and Use Tax and RCRRA levy towards completion of the project. With the end of the county’s work on the project, the opportunity to reallocate the funding arose.
At the November 19, 2024, Transportation Funding Workshop, commissioners discussed the opportunity to reallocate funds from the Riverview Corridor to countywide projects and the eligible uses of the funds. This was followed by county board and RCRRA meetings on December 17, 2024, where the board and RCRRA directed staff to:
• Develop a refined transportation improvement plan utilizing Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority Property Tax Levy and Ramsey County Local Option Sales Tax funds previously identified for the Riverview Corridor.
• Direct Public Works staff to develop a detailed transit and transportation investment plan based upon the reallocation of Riverview Corridor funds consistent with the investment categories presented at the November 19, 2024, board workshop for Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority discussion and approval in the Spring of 2025.
Between January and April, a series of internal workshops were held to identify potential projects and project categories for the transit and transportation investment plan. These workshops resulted in the development of a draft plan that included the following project categories:
• Roadways and Interchanges.
• Corridor Improvements.
• Transformative and Innovative.
• Union Depot and Railroad.
• Other.
All project categories have the ability to positively impact multimodal (pedestrian and bicycle) and transit, through specific projects, however, the Transit and Transportation Investment Plan does not select individual projects. Selection of specific transportation projects is informed by the project categories, the All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan, practical and real-world considerations, and ends with the annual adoption of the county’s Transportation Improvement Program.
The project categories, illustrative projects by category and approach to project selection were presented at the April 8, 2025, board workshop on transportation funding. At the end of the workshop the board directed staff to bring the required board actions to the county board and RCRRA board to complete the reallocation of Riverview Corridor funds to countywide projects consistent with the Transit and Transportation Investment Plan and All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan. The board emphasized the need to improve transit accessibility, reliability, and frequency throughout the county as part of reallocating the funding.
Approval of the Transit and Transportation Plan will provide guidance for the utilization of Ramsey County Transportation Sales and Use Tax funds on projects that advance countywide transportation infrastructure investment.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Transportation provides access to jobs, workforce training opportunities, education, healthcare, recreation, shopping, and other key destinations regionally and nationally. Improving Ramsey County’s transportation system to prioritize people who walk, bike, roll, and ride transit over automobiles and freight will ensure that the needs of all residents are met while improving resident safety and prosperity. As the most diverse county in Minnesota, Ramsey County is pursuing the implementation of transportation investments that provide reliable, low-cost, and high amenity transportation to reduce and eliminate transportation barriers for transit-dependent households, areas of racially concentrated poverty, and areas of low income. Reducing these barriers by elevating pedestrian, bicycle, and transit investments over automobile focused investments will reduce the financial and environmental cost on these groups by improving access to fast, frequent, and reliable transit, improving pedestrian infrastructure including safer street crossings and providing bicycle focused infrastructure, will provide residents with convenient alternatives to driving, allowing them to choose the best transportation for them.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Community engagement is essential to informed and transparent decision making and has occurred throughout the development of Ramsey County transportation projects. Public Works engages the public as part of a specific project development processes and in the development of the All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan. This Transit and Transportation Investment Plan’s funding categories were developed through the goals identified during the engagement undertaken for the All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan and the county’s All-Abilities Transportation Policy.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Approval of the Transit and Transportation Investment Plan will provide guidance to help identify and update the list of projects that are eligible for use of the Transportation Sales and Use Tax. Once eligible projects are identified, the fiscal impacts associated with project development, delivery, and construction will be contained within the annual Transportation Improvement Program.
Last Previous Action
On December 17, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners directed staff to develop a refined transportation improvement plan utilizing Ramsey County Local Option Sales Tax funds previously identified for the Riverview Corridor and to develop a detailed transit and transportation investment plan based upon the reallocation of Riverview Corridor funds consistent with the investment categories presented at the November 19, 2024, board workshop for discussion and approval in the Spring of 2025 (Resolution B2024-272).
On November 19, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners held a workshop to discuss the reallocation of Riverview Corridor funding. At the conclusion of the workshop, staff was directed to bring a resolution directing staff to develop a transportation investment plan and to bring this plan and the reallocation of Riverview Corridor funding to the boards for discussion and approval in the Spring of 2025.
Attachments
1. Transit and Transportation Investment Plan