FTA Announces $85 Million for Link BRT in Rochester, MN

FTA has announced an $84.9 million grant award to the city of Rochester, MN, to build faster, more reliable, all-electric bus service in the city, including along one of Rochester’s most heavily traveled roads. Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Link BRT project will provide between downtown Rochester, the Mayo Civic Center, Mayo Clinic campuses, and the planned Downtown Waterfront Southeast development.

“Americans rely on public transit every day to get to work, go to school, and connect with loved ones,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “With the funding we’re announcing today, the Biden-Harris Administration is making important improvements to Rochester’s Link bus rapid transit line that will quickly and safely connect residents and visitors to everything from schools and doctors’ offices to their local grocery store.”

The Link will be an all-electric system, using 12 buses. With seven stations, the 2.8-mile service will operate along more than half of the route in dedicated bus-only lanes and receive priority at traffic lights for the remainder of the route.

“The Link BRT line will support a growing city with a population forecast to grow by 30 percent through 2040,” said FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “BRT routes have been transforming communities across the country with fast and frequent service along key economic corridors, and we are pleased to add Rochester to the growing list of communities benefiting from America’s largest-ever investment in high-quality public transportation.”

The project is also spurring significant transit-oriented development. At one end of the line, a Mayo Clinic parking lot will be converted into a mixed-use development near the transit station, which will include electric bus chargers and a public plaza. A city-led project supported by state funding includes $16 million for 300 housing units in the eastern section of the corridor.