The Gateway Corridor Commission will seek a $5 million bonding request for transit development from the Legislature in 2014. The money, if approved, would be used for engineering work in preparation for opening the transit route in 2022.

Bus rapid transit has been identified as the preferred transit mode on the Gateway, which extends from downtown St. Paul to the St. Croix River via Interstate 94. Locations for several transit stations have been named.

Also this month, the B1 alignment emerged as the probable route because it is faster, less expensive and more adaptable to the neighborhoods, corridor leaders said. The B1 alignment runs primarily along Hudson Road adjacent to I-94 through St. Paul. The other preference, which won't advance for further study, was the B2 alignment along East 7th Street in St. Paul and White Bear Avenue to Hudson Road.

The commission was unsuccessful in landing a request for $1 million during this year's legislative session.

kevin giles

@stribgiles