Friday by Foot 2/6/2009

2/6/2009

Another week and another late Friday post.

This news comes entirely from the February issue of Connect, the monthly flier that is distributed by Metro Transit.

1. There are six new or expanding park and ride lots.  Metro transit is trying to add 3,000 more parking spaces for riders to use for free.  These Park & Rides will be focused along the 35W bus lines, two suburbs in the North Metro, as well as Cedar Avenue bus lines in the South Metro.

• New parking facilities will be constructed at the Park & Rides at 95th Avenue in Blaine, and Country Road C in Roseville
• Apple Valley Transit Station will be expanded and a new station is in the works for both Cedar & 180th and Kenrick Avenue (off of 35W) in Lakeville
• Finally, a new Park & Ride is being planned for Cedar Grove in Eagan

2. Buses are free if you are vomiting green beer!  After 6 p.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, bus fare is as complimentary to a night of drinking as the itchy crotch you think you caught from the girl in the mini skirt and fuzzy sweater.

Friday by Foot 1/30/2009

1/30/2009

Sorry that this is late by a day but I lacked connection to the web through all of Friday.

1. During the negotiations over the $825 billion stimulus bill, a handful of democratic Representatives secured more money for public transit across the country than originally was alotted for.  The total for public transportation infrastructure enhancement is currently around $13 billion.  Reported by Elena Schlor, TalkingPointsMemo (1/28/2009).

2.  The Southwest metro light-rail line proposal is being pruned.  In light of the squabble over noise and vibration raised by MPR, the planning committee are attempting to choose a route for the LRT that would keep it away from businesses like WCCO and Orchestra Hall.  The route will stretch from Eden Prairie, run through parts of Minnetonka, Hopkins, and St. Louis Park, finally ending near the new Twins stadium.  Reported by Jim Foti, Star Tribune (1/28/2009).

3.  In 2008, 82 million people used the metro area public transportation system.  10 million of those people were riders of the Hiawatha light rail line.  Reported by Paul Walsh, Star Tribune (1/30/2009).

Riding the Route 12 home from Hopkins tonight, our bus missed a turn and it had to use reverse.  This has never happened when I’ve been on a bus.  All the lights turn out.  The driver had skills . . . he turned the bus around in the middle of a two-lane street in about 30 seconds.

Friday by Foot 1/23/2009

1/23/2009

From hence I shall, every Friday, recap news pertaining to Minneapolis-local non-automobile public transportation that I have found.  Primarily, I’ll be piggybacking the MN Daily, but also plan to keep tabs on transportation project websites, as well as relate any quirky or insightful stories from the week past.  They will be called “Fridays by Foot”.

1. President Bob Bruininks of the University of Minnesota sent a letter urging Senator Amy Klobuchar to attempt to include funding for a transportation hub into Barack Obama’s promised stimulus package.  Bruininks argues that the Stadium Village area would be a good location for such a hub, in regard to the amount of current businesses and residential property, as well as the new Gophers TCF Bank Stadium.  The proposed hub would include amenities for bicyclists, as well as riders of the MTC bus and light rail riders.  The Central Corridor LRT, scheduled for completion in early 2014, will pass directly through Stadium Village.  Reported by Briana Bierschbach, MN Daily (1/21/2009).

2.  The 2nd Ave. & Marquette Transit project will not only be diverting buses, but converting Hennepin Avenue from a north-bound one-way downtown to a two-way street.  The Minneapolis Public Works and Transportation planning staff have come up with a plan to make the street more friendly to bicyclists.  For one, bike lanes will be available for experienced and inexperienced riders.  For the experienced, a lane shared with buses and right-turning drivers will exist, very similar to those running down Park & Portland Avenues (for example).  For the street wary, a lane will be created that, during non-peak traffic hours, will be blocked by a lane of parked cars, forming a wall between the rushing traffic and the bicycle.  Finally, “bike boxes” may be positioned at the front of left turn lanes.  These spaces will be a way to ensure that bicyclists can prepare for a left-hand turn across the avenue safely.  Reported by Tara Bannow, MN Daily (1/21/2009).

3. The University of Minnesota looks to partner with Metro Transit to provide shuttles to and from the suburbs for college football games, starting next year.  The shuttle would help reduce the number of parking structures built, which will total to accommodate for approximately 3,200 vehicles anyway.  Similar measures in both Iowa and Ohio have been largely popular and even profitable.  Reported by Andrew Cummins, MN Daily (1/22/2009).

4.  At a hearing to discuss the 2030 Transportation Policy Plan Update, many citizens expressed concerns regarding expansion of transportation, mainly that they did not wish to build new roads or highway, but focus on pedestrian concerns.  The official response states that, while the amount of funding to be provided is unknown, its source is likely predictable.  The funding will most likely trickle down through previously established channels, such as the Federal High Way Association (FHWA), and would need to be spent on those particular types of projects.