The Cities Blog

First rail of Central Corridor is on the ground

As of this morning, this right here is the eastern terminus of the Central Corridor Light Rail Line. Workers are tying and welding rebar and fitting up the first rail of the long-awaited

commuter

rail line connecting downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, said Laura Baenen, spokeswoman for the Central Corridor LRT Project.

The rail is being put together in 300-foot sections and pulled down to 4th Street, to the foot of the St. Paul Farmer's Market. Just 11 miles and a few hundred million dollars to go.

But don't buy your ticket just yet. Service isn't scheduled to start until 2014.