Transit Improvements on East-West Routes in Downtown Minneapolis Michael Mechtenberg Planner Metro Transit Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Today’s Presentation Overview of transit service in Twin Cities East-west transit service background Initial plan: consolidation Revised plan: balancing volumes Recent progress and next steps 2

Metro Transit Snapshot 15th largest U.S. transit system 7 counties, 90 cities Bus, light rail, commuter rail –127 routes, 941 vehicles 81 million rides in

Transit in the Twin Cities 4 East-West Hennepin Nicollet 4th Street Blue Line LRT MARQ2

Existing Transit Usage 5 Second busiest transit spine

Passenger Facilities 66

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Access Minneapolis Downtown Plan June 2007, City approves Downtown Action Plan Plan Vision –Thriving economic center –Livable and walkable streets –High-quality transit system –Transportation choices Transit “spine” recommended to consolidate financial resources, simplify for users and improve transit operations 8

Access Minneapolis Downtown Plan Marquette and 2 nd Ave –Double-wide bus lanes –Shelters and real-time signs Hennepin/1 st Ave –Conversion to two-way traffic Nicollet Mall –All hybrid buses –Free ride service –Local routes only East-West Spine –Initial two-way 8 th Street concept rejected –“Continue to evaluate alternatives for local east-west service.” 9

Concept Plan: Consolidation T T Nearside (new) Farside (existing) Consolidate service onto 7 th and 8 th streets Split stop at Nicollet Mall, with new nearside location Curb extensions at stops Upgraded shelters with heat, light and better schedule info

2010 Concept Plan: Consolidation 11

Concerns of this concept raised by downtown stakeholders : – Traffic and curbside impacts (parking, loading, taxis); storefront views/access – High volumes of people/sidewalk congestion; security Initial plan dropped due to lack of support 12 Stakeholder Feedback

Coordinated with downtown stakeholders on East-West Corridor Task Force –Downtown Council –Downtown Improvement District –Key business representatives –City / Metro Transit staff Broaden scope to address larger vision for downtown –Project not only about transit –Downtown 2025 Plan –Downtown Action Plan 13 Revised Approach

Alternative approach to balance volume of riders –Distribute versus concentrate bus routes and stops Relocate local routes –Route 14 to 4 th Street –Route 22 to 4 th Street –Route 19 to 9 th Street Enhance sidewalks for length of corridor, not just at stops Streetscape and greening Improve bus stops 14 Revised Plan

Street Environment 15

Providing a better pedestrian environment 16

9 th Street 7 th Street 4 th Street 8 th Street 6 th Street Nicollet LaSalle Hennepin Marquette 2 nd Ave Current Weekday Boardings by Stop Proposed Weekday Boardings by Stop

9 th Street Pilot Project 18 Apply on street temporary measures to demonstrate proposed concept Install colorized roadway surface treatment Install planters to provide barrier between roadway and pedestrian area. Install pavement markings and signs to duplicate what is needed in proposed concept Collect data and analyze

9 th Street Pilot Project 19

Pilot Project Example: Union Square North, NYC 20

Status of transit changes Route 14 to 4 th Street Route 22 to 4 th Street Route 19 to 9 th Street Develop and revisit facility design alternatives –Street, pedestrian and transit customer Stakeholder/policymaker changes Renew stakeholder conversations 21 Next Steps

Transit Improvements on East-West Routes in Downtown Minneapolis Michael Mechtenberg Planner Metro Transit Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN