The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced an $84.9 million grant award to the city of Rochester, Minn., to build faster, more reliable, and 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 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project will provide fast and frequent transit for residents and visitors 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

The Link will vastly improve the travel experience for riders along Rochester’s 2nd Street SW corridor, one of the city’s most heavily traveled roads. The corridor currently carries more than 21,800 vehicles and 13,000 transit riders every day, including more than 40 buses during peak hours. 

With seven stations, the 2.8-mile Link 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. 

By connecting to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, the line will make it easier for patients and their families to travel to its campuses and services without having to drive.

Bringing All-Electric, TOD to the Project

The Link will be an all-electric system, using 12 buses. 

By encouraging people to get out of their cars and using clean-and-green electricity, the project will improve air quality and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change. 

“The Link BRT line will support a growing city with a population forecast to grow by 30% 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.

The federal support for the Link BRT, which is estimated to cost $161.5 million, comes from FTA’s Capital Investment Grants program, which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects.