17-72 - 11-21 - Support Future Bus Rapid Transit Resolution 17-72 November 21, 2017
Member Schmidgall introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FUTURE BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) SERVICE
ON HIGHWAY 169 AND HIGHWAY 55 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
HIGHWAY 169 MOBILITY STUDY
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the
Metropolitan Council, and Scott County funded and participated in the US Highway 169
Mobility Study, in partnership with cities and counties along the corridor, to evaluate the
potential for MnPASS Express Lanes in the southwest metro area on Highway 169, and
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the same corridor from the city of Shakopee north to corridors
connecting to downtown Minneapolis; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the project, as established through the study process, is
to increase access to jobs and destinations, provide transportation choices, and improve
safety and travel time for Highway 169 travelers; and
WHEREAS, two (2) BRT alternatives were identified and studied: US 169 from
Marschall Road north to Betty Crocker Drive (segment common to both alternatives) and
east to downtown Minneapolis via 1-394 (Alternative 1) or via Highway 55 (Alternative 2);
and
WHEREAS, the evaluation of BRT alternatives shows strategic differences between
the two alternatives: Alternative 1 serves a higher number of jobs along the corridor and
has higher total projected ridership, Alternative 2 serves a higher number of people living
along the corridor, has higher projected transit-dependent and reverse-commute ridership,
and connects to the future METRO Blue Line light rail extension; and
WHEREAS, six (6) project goals for evaluation of alternatives were established
through the study process and both BRT alternatives similarly satisfy each of the project
goals: Improve Access, Provide Improved Mobility, Attract Ridership, Provide a High
Return on Investment, Prioritize Service to Transit-Supportive Development Areas, and
Preserve the Environment; and
WHEREAS, the project evaluation also shows that the addition of MnPASS lanes on
Highway 169 between Marschall Road and Highway 55 is feasible and would satisfy the
project goals by improving access to jobs and destinations, improving mobility by reducing
and better managing congestion, providing a transit advantage for express bus service and
in some areas BRT service, providing a high long-term return on investment, and
preserving the environment; and
WHEREAS, staff and elected officials from the City of Golden Valley have
thoughtfully participated in the Highway 169 Mobility Study; and
WHEREAS, it is understood that the current financial constraints of the region for
highway and transit expansion projects beyond what are already assumed to be funded in
the Transportation Policy Plan are challenging, but should additional funding become
available, this project should be given due consideration for advancement in part or total.
Resolution 17-72 -2- November 21, 2017
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, the City of Golden Valley recommends
support of future BRT service on Highway 169 connecting to downtown Minneapolis via
Highway 55 (Alternative 2) and MnPASS Lane additions on Highway 169 including future
planning studies and infrastructure or transit investment to enable and support
implementation.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, the City of Golden Valley requests
the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT incorporate, prioritize, and consider these MnPASS
and BRT improvements in plans, programs and projects.
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v 22Ca
Shep rd M. Harris, Mayor
ATTEST:
i
Kristine A. Luedke, City Clerk
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Harris
and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Clausen,
Fonnest, Harris, Schmidgall and Snope and the following voted against the same: none
whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the Mayor
and his signature attested by the City Clerk.