The Central Corridor is the primary east-west transportation route in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. It is 11 miles long and crosses through the heart of the Twin Cities. This area includes business districts, distinct and diverse residential neighborhoods, institutions and attractions that help define the Twin Cites as one of the most livable and economically successful urban areas in the United States.

The Central Corridor contains the Minnesota Children’s Museum, the State Capitol, Frogtown, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, the University of Minnesota, the West Bank Theater District, as well as the Metro office of the Minnesota Senior Federation. Interstate 94 and University Avenue are the twin transportation backbones of the Central Corridor. Both roads are becoming increasingly congested as more people live, work and shop in the neighborhoods within the corridor and more people commute through the corridor. By 2020, traffic planners estimate 200,000 vehicles will clog I-94 every day.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak have both expressed a desire to bring better transportation options to the Central Corridor and include meaningful community input in the process.

In response to this opportunity, the Minnesota Senior Federation joined forces with the University Avenue Community Coalition and the Transit Partners Coalition to focus on effects of corridor development on transportation and affordable housing. MnSF will also work to ensure that any light rail plan involves frequent stops and that current bus services are not curtailed.

UACC meets regularly. If you are interested in working with MnSF and our transit allies, call Jackie Stewart 651/783-5007.