Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The long planned Destination Medical Center public transit infrastructure project is set to get underway in downtown Rochester on Monday.

City officials say corridor construction for the Link Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will begin in two phases along 2nd Street Southwest, starting with utility upgrades leading to full roadway improvements. The first phase begins Monday and is expected to continue into mid-July. The focus will be on water and stormwater infrastructure improvements between 11th Avenue and 12th Avenue Southwest, in front of St. Marys Hospital.

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During the first phase, traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction on the south side of the busy roadway between 9th and 13th Avenues.

The second phase is slated to take place from mid-July to mid-August. A news release says the continuation of infrastructure improvements will shift traffic lanes to the north side of 2nd Street in the same area.

The infrastructure work is laying the foundation for the Link BRT service, which the city describes as a major milestone in Rochester’s transportation future. The transit system will “bring faster, fare-free, and environmentally sustainable transit service to city residents, downtown employees, and visitors in the downtown area and along the Link BRT route.”

ALSO SEE: Rochester City Council to Votes to Expand Destination Medical Center Boundaries 

The Destination Medical Center project, which currently has a budget of about $175 million, will connect a future “Transit Village” near Cascade Lake to Mayo Clinic facilities and other downtown Rochester destinations along a route running on 2nd Street Southwest to the Riverfront area south of the Mayo Civic Center in southeast Rochester.

Approximately $85 million of the cost will be covered by a federal transit grant. The remaining funding will come from Destination Medical Center funds, along with state and Olmsted County transit contributions.

The current timeline for the project indicates it is expected to become operational by the end of next year.