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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The Rush Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Policy <br />Advisory Committee (PAC) met on Thursday, <br />January 23. While no official votes took place, the <br />PAC was brought up to date by Ramsey County <br />staff and the consultants working on planning <br />measures for the proposed bus route. Most <br />notably, the PAC heard progress reports involving <br />project infrastructure and details on the on-going <br />environmental assessment. Infrastructure <br />challenges include adding additional sidewalks, <br />station design at several locations, and placement <br />of the bus route in conjunction with the existing <br />Bruce Vento Trail. One issue concerning Gem <br />Lake is the lane width over the Highway 61 bridge <br />above the railroad tracks near Nelson Marine. <br />County staff will coordinate with the Minnesota <br />Department of Transportation (MNDOT) as route <br />planning continues. <br /> <br />The environmental assessment includes historic <br />preservation relating to the old Lake Superior and <br />Mississippi Railroad, an early rail connection <br />between St. Paul and Duluth. For those who <br />traverse the Bruce Vento Trail old rail tracks, <br />structures, and other related items are still present <br />along the route. BRT staff wish to retain these <br />items as important historical records linking the <br />past transportation with the present and future <br />transit objectives. <br /> <br />The meeting concluded with schedule goals and <br />future opportunities for public engagement. As <br />always Rush Line meetings are open to the public <br />where the public can comment on proceedings <br />and other relevant topics. The next Rush Line <br />BRT meeting is set for Thursday, March 26 at <br />2:30PM at the Maplewood Community Center <br />located at 2100 White Bear Avenue. Additional <br />project work can be found at <br />https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/roads- <br />transit/transit-corridors-studies/rush-line-brt- <br />project. <br /> By Jim Lindner, Gem Lake City Council Member <br /> <br />Save the Environment for Free <br /> <br />(continued from page 1) <br />2. Attend an upcoming workshop. On March 25th, <br />2020, Gem Lake Heritage Hall will host a talk on <br />aquatic invasives. This education program will be <br />led by both VLAWMO and Ramsey County. Attend <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Rush Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Update <br /> <br /> Just to learn about aquatic invasives, or to <br />become a trained volunteer that helps monitor <br />local infestations. RSVP to <br />http://www,vlawmo.org/events/aquatic-invasive- <br />species-training/ <br /> <br />A variety of workshops are scheduled on topics <br />of drainage, ground covers, pollinators, native <br />plants, and resilient yards. Learn more and <br />register at: www.vlawmo.org/events. <br /> <br />3. Brush up on water friendly yard care before <br />spring hits. Tips, tricks and resources area <br />available at VLAWMO.org/residents. <br /> <br />Donation Made to Willow <br />Lane Elementary School <br />A donation of $2,000 was approved by the Gem <br />Lake City Council Meeting on January 21 for the <br />Willow Lane Elementary School in W hite Bear. <br />The donation was made from receipts resulting <br />from charitable gambling within city limits. (Pull <br />tab sales.)The donation was requested by the <br />school to fund scholarships for their annual <br />environmental field trip for 5th graders. This <br />three-day/two-night trip brings children to Camp <br />Icaghowan in Amery, Wisconsin from May 27- <br />29, 2020. The camp offers students the <br />opportunity for participation in a variety of <br />outdoor activities that focus on ecology, science, <br />human culture and history. Gem Lake’s <br />contribution helped to fund the trip for 20 <br />children. <br />