Link BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) is bringing convenience and sustainability to downtown Rochester
Rochester is a rapidly growing and developing city. With the ongoing planned investments through state and federal funding, downtown Rochester’s population is projected to grow by 30%, with a 65% increase in jobs by 2040. To meet this demand, the City of Rochester is making a number of investments to ensure downtown’s infrastructure is prepared for the rise in population.
To prepare for future expansion, as well as address current demand, the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) has issued an $84.92 million grant to the City of Rochester to begin work on the Link Bus Rapid Transit system, or Link. Link is a 2.8-mile route along 2nd Street that will span from Cascade Lake to 6th St SE. It will be the first rapid transit system in Minnesota, outside of the Twin Cities.
In a recent press release announcing the FTA grant, Patrick Seeb, Executive Director of Destination Medical Center, remarked: “As Rochester grows and changes, transportation options must evolve too. The Link BRT route was strategically designed to support Rochester’s major downtown redevelopment sites, which will create even greater regional impact. This is an exciting project that will continue to elevate Rochester as a local and global destination.”
Relieving existing congestion for commuters, residents and visitors
As it stands, the 2nd Street SW corridor is one of the most heavily used corridors in the City of Rochester, carrying more than 21,800 vehicles and 13,000 transit riders each day. The 2nd St SW corridor is currently near capacity, which causes significant congestion and delays for both drivers and transit users. Link aims to deliver a better downtown commuting experience by expanding the transportation options, reducing cars and emissions on the road, and decreasing the demand for parking, both now and in the future.
High amenity buses with an emphasis on sustainability
Link buses will be operated by Rochester Public Transit and will be free and accessible to all riders. The fully electric buses include amenities such as level boarding for easy access and bike racks to accommodate multimodal commuting. The seven stations spanning the city will have shelter, heating, bright lighting and real-time signage. Link will prioritize speed and efficiency, with wait times as short as five minutes during peak hours. Service intervals will be every five minutes on weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., and every 10 to 15 minutes at other times. Link will operate from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and 8 a.m. to midnight on weekends.
Rapid transit arriving by 2026
As of this fall, Link design has been finalized and has received federal funding. Construction is anticipated to begin in early spring 2025 and will continue through fall 2026. The opening day for Link is expected to take place in November of 2026. You can follow along with Link’s progress and sign up for email updates via the official webpage: Recent Updates | Link – Coming 2026.
