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 1410 Energy Park Dr. |
CRWD Home > Our Work > Watershed Planning
CCLRT Green Infrastructure Practices
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Background Starting in Spring 2011, the full reconstruction of University Avenue in Saint Paul for the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit (CCLRT) has presented a unique opportunity to improve the quality of stormwater runoff, aesthetics, and sustainability of the Corridor that will not likely be seen again for decades. With financial assistance from the State of Minnesota through a Clean Water Fund grant, Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD), the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County and Metropolitan Council (Met Council) will be implementing highly visible, green infrastructure (See box for definition) on a major transportation corridor to achieve significant and measurable water quality improvements. Met Council is constructing CCLRT, a two-way commuter rail system from Downtown Minneapolis to Downtown Saint Paul in Minnesota. The CCLRT will enter the western boundary of the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, and CRWD on University Avenue, continuing to the Capitol Grounds, through Downtown Saint Paul, and terminating at the CCLRT Operations and Maintenance Facility in the Lowertown neighborhood of Saint Paul (See map to the right). |
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This highly urbanized corridor is comprised of primarily commercial and industrial land uses with a small amount of residential property interspersed. The current drainage system conveys untreated runoff from approximately 111 acres of impervious surface within the project limits directly to the Mississippi River through numerous outfalls. Portions of this stretch of the river are impaired for turbidity, nutrients, and bacteria.
Because the CCLRT project will disturb more than 100 acres in CRWD, it is required to meet CRWD Rules, which applies to redevelopment projects one acre or larger. CRWD Rules require stormwater quality improvements by retaining one-inch rainfall events on site through best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs must remove 90% of total suspended sediment and 60% of the total phosphorus.
Project Goals
CRWD, the City of Saint Paul, Met Council, and Ramsey County are committed to utilizing green infrastructure practices in the CCLRT project area to achieve three goals:
- To maximize reduction of stormwater runoff volumes through infiltration;
- To minimize polluted stormwater runoff to the Mississippi River; and
- To achieve other environmental and community benefits including improved aesthetics, more greenspace, cleaner air, reduction of urban temperatures, and creation of wildlife habitat.
This project provides a unique opportunity to “green” a major transportation corridor that will serve as a regional and national model for sustainable transportation.
Project Description
Four categories of green infrastructure practices have been selected to achieve the runoff reduction and water quality goals of the project:
- integrated tree trench system;
- stormwater planters;
- rain gardens; and
- infiltration trenches.
The integrated tree trench system will be constructed on both sidewalks along 5.2 miles of University Avenue where good well-draining soils exist. The system will receive runoff from University Avenue via catch basins that will direct runoff to infiltration trenches and from sidewalks via pervious pavers that will direct runoff to structural soils. The structural soils will support the vigorous growth of boulevard trees that provide evapotranspiration, infiltration, and nutrient uptake.
Approximately eleven additional green infrastructure practices will be constructed along the Corridor on adjacent connecting streets to University Avenue. These additional practices include rain gardens, stormwater planters and infiltration trenches, which will collect and infiltrate stormwater runoff from adjacent connecting streets. The types and locations of the additional green infrasture practices include:
Rain Garden |
Stormwater Planter |
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| Pillsbury Street Northwest | Aldine Street Southeast | |
| Syndicate Street Southwest | Albert Street Northwest | |
| Marion Street Southwest | Albert Street Northeast | |
| Marion Street Southeast | Griggs Street Northwest | |
| Oxford Street Southeast | ||
| Infiltration Trench | ||
| Saint Albans Street South | ||
| Arundel Street South | ||
Click here for definitions, photos and renderings of the CCLRT green infrastructure practices.
Construction
Updated: September 28, 2011
Construction of the integrated tree trench system began in spring 2011 starting on the western end of the Corridor. Construction of the additional CCLRT green infrastructure practices are coinciding with the construction of the CCLRT. The first side street green infrastructure practice was constructed in September 2011: the Aldine Street Stormwater Planter. Click here for photos of construction of the CCLRT green infrastructure practices.
The BMPs are being inspected during construction to ensure proper installation of permanent stormwater practices. In addition, temporary construction erosion and sediment controls are being installed and maintained to prevent polluted runoff flowing to the newly constructed BMPs and the river. Following completion of construction, CRWD plans to assess the performance of these practices.
Project Outcomes
CRWD anticipates the CCLRT green infrastructure practices will significantly remove pollutants from stormwater runoff. It is estimated that the practices will remove 83 pounds per year of phosphorus and 2 tons per year of sediment, which will assist in improving water quality to the downstream receiving water, the Mississippi River.
Public Education and Outreach
With ridership rates estimated at 42,000 trips per day by 2030, there is tremendous opportunity for public education regarding the importance of sustainable stormwater management in urban areas. Educational signage will be created and coordinated with the existing Met Council public art program. Other outreach activities include project information in newsletters and websites, presentations at regional and national stormwater conferences, stormwater education curricula, and public walking tours.
Project Funding
The total cost of the project is $5,114,865 and is covered by a variety of funding sources including a State Clean Water Fund Grant of $665,000 and cash and in-kind contributions from CRWD, Met Council, and the City of Saint Paul. The Clean Water Fund Grant is administered by MN Board of Water and Soil Resources. The table below summarizes the project budget.
Financial Contribution |
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Project Categories |
Total Budget |
State Clean Water Fund Grant |
Capitol Region WD |
Metropolitan Council |
City of Saint Paul |
| Administration | $33,250 |
$33,250 |
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| Technical & Engineering | $25,000 |
$25,000 |
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| Education/Outreach | $5,000 |
$5,000 |
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| Construction | $5,051,612 |
$665,000 |
$103,000 |
$3,290,000 |
$993,615 |
Total |
$5,114,865 |
$665,000 |
$166,250 |
$3,290,000 |
$993,615 |
Links
Metropolitan Council’s Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Website
City of Saint Paul’s CCLRT Website Information
US EPA’s Green Infrastructure Website