The greening of the Green Line Green infrastructure along the Green Line treats stormwater and adds beauty to University Avenue in Saint Paul.
The Central Corridor Light Rail Project was an opportunity to demonstrate multiple green infrastructure practices in a highly urbanized, linear area between Saint Paul and Minneapolis. These practices improve the quality of stormwater runoff, aesthetics and sustainability of the Corridor. Project partners include Metropolitan Council, Capitol Region Watershed District, City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County. Known as the Green Line, trains will be running in spring 2014.
Tree Trench along University Avenue
1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4 Saint Paul, MN 55108 651-644-8888 www.capitolregionwd.org
The greening of the Green Line What’s Green Infrastructure? A stormwater management approach that uses natural landscape features and hydrologic processes to treat stormwater by infiltrating or reusing runoff. Green Infrastructure can also help meet other environmental goals such as carbon sequestration, reductions in urban heat island effect, improved air quality, improved wildlife habitat and increased opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Polluted rainwater
Hardy plants Polluted rainwater
Modified soil
Curb opening Roots channeling water
Sand filter
Original soil
stormwater planter
Polluted rainwater
Roots channeling water
Sand filter
Original soil
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Fairview
rain garden
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Curb opening
Raymond
Modified soil
Polluted rainwater
Westgate
Hardy plants
rain garden
stormwater planter
Green infrastructure along the Green Line treats stormwater and adds beauty to University Avenue in Saint Paul. Green infrastructure practices were installed along University Avenue and adjacent streets along portions of the light rail running through Saint Paul. The drainage area is 111 acres of highly developed land with large tracts of industrial, commercial and residential areas. The high amount of impervious surfaces direct large amounts of stormwater runoff and pollutants to the storm drain system and ultimately the Mississippi River. Four types of practices are used to improve water quality and control runoff volume along the light rail project area.
• Rain gardens were constructed in the boulevard on four side streets by CRWD. • Five side streets have stormwater planters in the boulevard constructed by CRWD. • Two side streets have infiltration trenches constructed by the City of Saint Paul. • Over five miles of tree trench with over 1,000 trees was constructed by Metropolitan Council on both sides of University Avenue in Saint Paul. It is estimated that the project reduces stormwater runoff by more than 50%, and removes 80 pounds of phosphorus and 40,000 pounds of sediment annually.
Polluted rainwater
Excess water to storm sewer
Perforated pipes Water soaks into ground
Polluted rainwater Permeable pavers
Rock trench
Polluted rainwater
Modified soil
Storm drain
Original soil Sand filter
Roots channeling water
tree trench
Capitol/Rice
Western
Dale
Victoria
Lexington
Hamline
Snelling
infiltration trench
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infiltration trench
tree trench
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Graphics courtesy of Barr Engineering Co.
The greening of the Green Line Project partners Capitol Region Watershed District Metropolitan Council Ramsey County City of Saint Paul Project cost Approximately $5,000,000 Grant funding MN Clean Water Legacy Fund Resources Syndicate Street rain garden
CRWD: capitolregionwd.org Met Council: metrocouncil.org City of Saint Paul: stpaul.gov Ramsey County: co.ramsey.mn.us MN Clean Water Legacy Fund: bwsr.state.mn.us/cleanwaterfund
Oxford Street stormwater planters
To draw public attention to the practices, the work of metal artist Lisa Elias is featured. Elias created artistic railings that can be seen around the stormwater planters and rain gardens.
1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4 Saint Paul, MN 55108 651-644-8888 www.capitolregionwd.org