> News+Events > Newsletter > Transportation - November 2009

More UPA projects to launch soon

The reconstruction of Marquette and 2nd avenues in downtown Minneapolis is one of several transit improvement projects funded through the Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA), a federal-state partnership to reduce traffic congestion by providing commuters more choices.

Here are more UPA projects to watch for:

I-35W & County Road C Park & Ride – Roseville

Metro Transit in December will open a 460-space, four-level parking ramp just east of I-35W near County Road C and Cleveland Avenue North in Roseville.

Effective Dec. 14, new Route 264 will serve customers at the ramp, providing direct service between the park-and-ride facility and downtown Minneapolis. The new route will offer seven morning trips to downtown and eight return trips.

95th Avenue Park & Ride – Blaine

In mid-November, a new 550-space ramp opened at the 95th Avenue Park & Ride in Blaine. This ramp, built to expand capacity at the prior surface lot, offers frequent express service to downtown Minneapolis, with buses leaving every 7 to 10 minutes during rush hour. Service also is available to the U of M and downtown St. Paul from this site.

Apple Valley Transit Station

Construction of a new Apple Valley Transit Station is expected to be finished in late December, with service starting on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. The facility, located along Cedar Avenue north of 155th St., will feature a 500-space ramp and a 250-space surface parking lot, along with a pedestrian overpass and side platforms to accommodate future bus rapid transit.

Transit signal priority technology

Starting in mid-December, specially equipped buses will communicate with an approaching traffic signal and ask it to hold the green light if the bus is behind schedule. Transit signal priority systems have been installed at 27 intersections on Central Avenue in Columbia Heights and Minneapolis for Routes 10, 118 and 829.

Freeway information signs

Also in mid-December, real-time electronic commuter information signs are planned at select locations along the I-35W corridor to alert motorists about the estimated travel time to downtown for trips by auto and bus, and how many parking spots are still available at nearby park-and-ride lots.

Projects in 2010

Two more UPA projects will be completed in 2010.  A new 160-space park-and-ride lot will open at Cedar Grove near Highway 13 and Highway 77. In addition, buses using the shoulder lane on Cedar Avenue will be equipped with special lane guidance technology to help drivers navigate the narrow shoulder.