Officials, commuters inaugurate I-35W transit improvements

It was a cool and windy day for an outdoor celebration. However, the opening of a new park-and-ride facility in Lakeville and the launch of new express bus service to downtown Minneapolis received warm approval from local officials and residents alike.

Gov. Paylenty, Peter Bell (speaking), Pat Garofalo, Steve Mielke, Holly Dahl

Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell speaks at the opening day event. From left are Gov. Tim Pawlenty; Bell; State Rep. Pat Garofalo, Farmington; Lakeville City Administrator Steve Mielke; and Lakeville Mayor Holly Dahl.

A group of federal, state and local dignitaries gathered Sept. 28 at the 750-space Kenrick Avenue park-and-ride ramp to herald these transit improvements, as well as the planned opening Sept. 30 of almost 12 miles of MnPass Express lanes on I-35W.

“For the first time, the citizens of Lakeville – and points south – will have nonstop express bus service to downtown Minneapolis,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell. He added that the new express lanes will enable riders aboard Metro Transit buses to “bypass traffic and be downtown in about 30 minutes.”

The highway and transit improvements – among others to be completed in the next year – were funded with the help of a $133 million congestion relief grant from the federal Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) program, along with $50 million in matching state and local funds.

New commuter bus at Lakeville park-and-ride facility

A new coach bus waits outside the new Kenrick Avenue park-and-ride facility in Lakeville.

Metro Transit staff members were on hand in the morning to serve coffee and rolls to some 150 customers who arrived for the first day of transit service at the new ramp.

Later in the day, Gov. Tim Pawlenty presided at an event to mark the opening. He and Bell were joined by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez, State Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel and a large group of local officials.