The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority studied a range of alternatives in the Bottineau Corridor northwest of downtown Minneapolis. Alternatives included bus, bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail transit (LRT), and commuter rail to improve regional mobility and meet long-range needs. SRF led a consultant team to complete this study, which followed FTA criteria for New Starts projects.

The alternatives analysis included:

• Extensive public engagement activities
• Initial concept development
• Estimation of the cost to construct and operate each alternative
• Estimation of potential ridership
• Identification of major impacts to the environment and local communities
• Final evaluation and recommendation of preferred alternative

Building on the alternatives analysis, SRF also worked as a key partner on a consultant team to complete a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). Following FTA New Starts and NEPA processes, the consultant team, Hennepin County, and partner agencies successfully provided the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for inclusion in the Metropolitan Council’s long-range plans. The team also completed the necessary scoping and DEIS documents required under state and federal environmental review.

The draft environmental impact statement included:

• Public involvement
• Ridership forecasts
• Development of project purpose and need
• Environmental documentation
• Visual impact assessment
• Environmental justice analysis