Construction of Rochester’s Link Bus Rapid Transit System Hits Halfway Point

Rochester, MN (RochesterNow)- Construction of the Link Bus Rapid Transit system (Link BRT) in Rochester has reached its halfway point. 

See Also: Hwy. 52 to Close in Both Directions at I-90 on August 17 

Work on the 2.8 mile route that runs from the former Kmart site in southeast Rochester to the under-construction West Transit village near Cascade Park along 2nd St. SW began in June of last year. 

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The Destination Medical Center project to build the route that offers fare-free bus rides mainly along 2nd St. SE and SW is being funded by an $85 million federal transit grant along with state and local tax dollars. 

Service is scheduled to begin in the Fall of next year.

Crews Complete 50% of Construction of the Link BRT in Rochester as Buses Arrive

The City of Rochester says seven of the 12 buses that will run along the route have arrived. Each of the electric buses are 60 feet long, more than 73,000 pounds with 45 seats. 

City of Rochester

The buses can accommodate wheelchairs and bicycles and offer phone charging stations at each seat. They’ll serve the corridor as frequently as every five minutes during peak times. 

The route will feature 12 stations that will offer stops at Mayo Clinic’s downtown Rochester campus, St. Mary’s Hospital, the Mayo Civic Center and other destinations. 

City of Rochester

The St. Mary's station will have an underground pedestrian tunnel that will connect the hospital with the transit stop  Crews are continuing construction on the bus stops.

Rising Project Costs

Costs rose leading up to the start of the project. The initial project budget came in at around $143 million but increased to $197 million due to bids coming in that were higher than expected. 

A City of Rochester analysis of the bids found the price hike was caused by inflationary pressures, the impact of tariffs, the tight project schedule, labor shortages, and limited contractor competition. 

Read More: Rochester City Council Approves Higher Than Expected Budget for Link BRT Project 

Construction of the route has also prompted major traffic disruption primarily along 2nd St. SW and SE, which has been either fully closed in parts or single-lane during the work. 

Road work has also impacted businesses along the corridor. 

Impacts to Businesses

Earlier this month, Thesis Beer Project announced plans to close by the end of the year. The 2nd St. SW brewery said the construction has resulted in a 50% drop in business. 

Read More: Thesis Beer Project in Rochester is Closing 

Uni Uni Bubble Tea, which is located across 2nd St. SW from St. Mary’s Hospital has also shared their struggles prompted by construction. 

They’ve asked the community for help and have brought their products to more events around Rochester in an effort to stay afloat. 

Read More: Rochester’s Uni Uni Bubble Tea Needs Support Amid Construction Headache

In March Tinn’s philly cheesesteak restaurant ended their return to 2nd St. SW near St. Mary’s. They also cited difficulties caused by construction. 

Read More: Another Rochester Business Closes Due To The Ongoing Construction

Signs directing motorists to business along the route are in place and the city is also featuring business along the Link BRT route in its weekly construction newsletter.