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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.c. Authorize the Mayor to Sign and Submit Comments Regarding the Draft 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update to the Dakota County Regional Rail AuthorityRC)ISEMOLINT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CITY COUNCIL City Council Regular Meeting: August 4, 2010 AGENDA ITEM: Authorize the Mayor to Sign and Submit Comments Regarding the Draft 2010 AGENDA SECTION: Cedar Avenue Transitway N&W ��`y,��� Implementation Plan Update to the Dakota County Regional Rail Authority PREPARED BY: Eric Zweber, Senior Planner AGENDA NO. &7,C. ATTACHMENTS: Comment Letter; Cover Letter; Draft 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update; Section 4 of APPROVED BY: the draft Technical Memorandum #4: Service Plan. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to authorize the Mayor to Sign and Submit the Comments Regarding the Draft 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update. ISSUE On July 13, the Dakota County Regional Rail Authority released the Draft 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update (Update) for a 30 day public comment period. The plan shows service and financial models for the Cedar Avenue bus rapid transit (BRT), express, station -to- station, and local bus service throughout the corridor including the communities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Lakeville, and Rosemount. There are three service and financial models for 2012 (the first year of BRT operation), 2020, and 2030. Staff has reviewed the Update and associated technical memorandums and has comments and concerns that the existing local and express service from Rosemount will be negatively affected and service reduced within these models. SUMMARY Dakota County is planning to have the Cedar Avenue shoulder and station improvements constructed over the next two years to begin BRT service in the fall of 2012. As a part of the funding process, the County must submit this update to the Metropolitan (Met) Council as the metropolitan transportation organization (MPO). The Dakota County Regional Rail Authority ( DCRRA) is the responsible unit of government (RGU) that is charged with reviewing and approving the document before its submittal to the Met Council. The DCRRA had reviewed the draft Update at their July 13 meeting and released it for the 30 day comment period. The City must submit our official comments to the County by August 13 if they are to be added to the official record. Staff has been participating on a technical advisory committee (TAC) for the Cedar Avenue transitway since at least 2006. For the last two years, the TAC has been participating in the development of the Update. In January, Sam O'Connell, Dakota County Transit Specialist, presented an update on the progress of the Update. Following the presentation, the Council members provided comments including the concern of the re- routing of the 420 route and desires for transit routes that connect to Cedar Avenue at the Palomino Park and Ride or even farther north. Unfortunately, these concerns have not been addressed in the draft Update. Staff has prepared a comment letter that has one major theme; not only doesn't the model increase transit opportunities in Rosemount but the service and financial models actually show a reduction in transit service to Rosemount. The reduction of service is twofold. First, the existing 420 flex -route is replaced in the model by Local Route 4. Second, the existing 476R express service to Downtown Minneapolis via Eastview High School and the Palomino Park and Ride is rerouted to service only Cedar Avenue and replaced by Local Route 10. The current route 420 runs from Downtown Rosemount to the Apple Valley Transit Station along 145'' Street and County Road 42. The proposed Local Route 4 runs along 145'` Street and County Road 42 to Pilot Knob Road, south to the 157' Street Park and Ride before finally traveling to the Apple Valley Transit Station via County Road 46. This re -route avoids the retail, employment, service, and civic uses along County Road 42. The comment provided states that this re -route is detrimental to our transit dependant population and the modeling preformed in the Update does not show any additional ridership. The current 476R express service provides two a.m. and one p.m. buses from Rosemount to Downtown Minneapolis. The Update models show the express routes located east of Cedar Avenue being cannibalized to provide 40 foot express buses for additional service on Cedar Avenue while replacing the existing express service with a local route using the 32 foot cutaway buses. Route 476R is proposed to be replaced by Local Route 10 which runs from the Rosemount Community Center to the 140'' Street Station (which is a walk up station in 2012 and the near future) generally along Connemara Trail and 140'' Street in Apple Valley. The comments provided regarding Local Route 10 ate that replacing an express bus with local service is a reduction in service even if the same destinations are served. The comment states that there is a transfer delay of zero to ten minutes (which is recognized as a penalty in transit models) when a rider would need to change buses at 140'' Street and Cedar Avenue. Additional, the comments address the issue of perception which was discussed heavily when the buses for the BRT service are to be chosen. The cutaway buses look different than the express buses, are not as attractive, and staff contends also qualifies as a reduction in service. Also provided is a cover letter that addresses concerns more general to the Cedar Avenue transitway than that covered in the scope of the Update. Most of the cover letter is of the same nature that Rosemount is looking for additional or improved service from the Cedar Avenue transitway rather than the reduced service shown in the models of the Update. The cover letter concludes that it would be difficult to authorize a resolution in support of the Update if the comments provided regarding the Update are not addressed. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends authorizing the Mayor to sign and submit the comments regarding the Update to the DCRRA. 2 4ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT August 4, 2010 Dakota County Western Service Center Salima "Sam" O'Connell, Transit Specialist 14955 Galaxie Avenue Apple Valley, MN 55124 Re: Comments to the Draft 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Dear Ms. O'Connell and Dakota County Regional Rail Authority Commissioners, The City of Rosemount would like to thank you for the opportunity to review the draft 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update and associated technical memorandums. The City has concerns with the Plan and its service and financial models. These concerns are expressed in the following comments: The City staff is concerned that the service plan models would reduce the level of transit service for Rosemount residents. Currently, Rosemount is only served by three MVTA routes, the 420 flex - route, the 476R and 478 express routes. The proposed service plans referenced to above would re -route the 420 flex route into Local Route 4 and would eliminate the 476R route and use the bus(es) to provide Cedar Avenue express service. During the Cedar Avenue BRT presentation in January to the Rosemount City Council, the Council members expressed concerns of re- routing the local route south to access the Cedar Avenue corridor. It is disconcerting if transit riders using the new Local Route 4 would need to travel south when their ultimate destination (Downtown Minneapolis) is to the north. The Council members also expressed a need to connect to express service farther north on the Cedar Avenue corridor even beyond the 140`' Street or Palomino Park and Rides and to include evaluating connections to the Blackhawk or Cedar Grove Park and Rides. The service plans do not address these concerns and even reduce the current level of service by eliminating the 476R express bus route. • Re -route of the 420 flex route. The City is concerned that the re- routing of the 420 flex route that currently travels along County Road 42 in Apple Valley to the Local Route 4 that would travel along County Road 46 in Apple Valley would adversely affect the transit dependant population in Rosemount without providing gains to the Cedar Avenue corridor ridership. The all day 420 bus service provides Rosemount residents access to the shopping, service, and jobs along County Road 42 in Apple Valley and the re- routing into Local Route 4 would eliminate that important transit access by travel along County Road 46 which lacks those same shopping, service, and job connections. The ridership models show no increase in ridership as a result of Local Route 4 and draft Technical Memorandum #3 recommendations on page 31 even recommend further analysis on the cost - effectiveness of Local Route 4. SPIRIT OF PRIDE AND PROGRESS Rosemount City Hall • 2875 145th Street West • Rosemount, MN 55068 -4997 651-423-4411 • TDD /TTY 651-423-6219 • Fax 651-423-5203 www.d.rosemount.mn.us • The elimination of the 476R route. The elimination of this route would reduce the express service from Rosemount to Downtown Minneapolis from the current three a.m. trips and four p.m. trips to only two a.m. and two p.m. trips. It is disconcerting that the creation of the Cedar Avenue BRT and the express service along that corridor includes service plan models that would reduce express service from Rosemount to Downtown Minneapolis. The result of this reduction in service would be the increase in automobile traffic from Rosemount residents that would either drive to a park and ride lot along the Cedar Avenue corridor or drive directly to Downtown Minneapolis. The Rosemount City Council has expressed their desire to have additional bus service between the Cedar Avenue corridor park and ride sites beyond only the Apple Valley Transit Station. These connections would reduce the number of Rosemount residents required to use their automobiles to travel to work. Local Route 10. The proposed Local Route 10 is not an adequate replacement for the elimination of the 476R. 1. Local Route 10 is a local route running between the Rosemount Community Center and the 140th Street Station while the 476R is an express bus that runs from the Rosemount Community Center and Downtown Minneapolis. This change would require people to transfer buses, which is acknowledged as a transit penalty, that currently do not. This transfer would also result in an increase in travel time from anywhere between zero and 10 minutes due to the transfer depending on the scheduling difference between the every 30 minute service of the Local Route 10 and the every 10 minute service of the express route from the 140th Street Station. 2. Local Route 10 is a cutaway bus while the 476R is a regular sized 40 foot bus. As has been discussed in draft Technical Memorandums #4 and #5, design is an important consideration when implementing the Cedar Avenue corridor. The replacement of the regular 40 foot bus of the current express service with a cutaway bus of the local service will visually look like a reduction in service in conjunction with the actual reduction of service that it is. Thank you for providing the opportunity for Rosemount to review the 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway implementation Plan Update and associated technical memorandums. We hope that these comments will be addressed in the final report of the Cedar Avenue Transitway Plan Update and will reflect that there will not be a reduction in actual transit service to Rosemount as a result of the implementation of BRT, express, and station -to- station bus service on the Cedar Avenue transitway. Sincerely, William H. Droste, Rosemount Mayor 4ROSEMOUNT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT August 4, 2010 Re: Cover Letter Regarding the Comments to the Draft 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Dear Dakota County Regional Rail Authority Commissioners, The City of Rosemount is providing its official comments in the Comment letter that is attached. We feel that it is necessary to address the overall nature of the Cedar Avenue transitway in this cover letter because a number of our concerns are not specific to the draft 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implement Plan Update (Update). Since at least 2006, the City has participated in the Cedar Avenue transitway and staff has been serving on the Cedar Avenue technical advisory committee (TAC). Our goal in participation was not only to support additional transit service in Dakota County and along Cedar Avenue but also to increase transit service in Rosemount and create new connections onto and along Cedar Avenue. In January, Sam O'Connell made a presentation of the Cedar Avenue transitway to our City Council and much of the conversation surrounded how Rosemount will be able to connect onto the transitway. It was discussed that connecting onto the transitway at the Apple Valley Transit station is counter intuitive for riders to travel south from Rosemount when their ultimate destination is north to Downtown Minneapolis. It was discussed that the City would desire connections at the Palomino Park and Ride and with a connection even farther north. In early July, Rosemount staff provided comments to the TAC that the service and financial models in the draft Technical Memorandums #3 and #4 do not increase transit service as requested at the January City Council meeting. It was noted that the models actually project a reduction in service for Rosemount residents. The draft Update released by the Dakota County Regional Rail Authority on July 13 has not altered these models and therefore continue to show a reduction in service. In conversations with Dakota County staff, it has been stated that the models in the Update were only to maximize ridership onto Cedar Avenue and any changes to actual routes will be the decision of the local transit provider, MVTA, and the local transit fonder, Metro Transit. The City believes that this is not an adequate response to a document as important as the Update particularly when the financial models show the pilfering of the existing express services located east of Cedar Avenue to provide new express service along Cedar Avenue. In these difficult financial times, it will be a challenge to locate the deficient funding identified in the financial models to maintain existing service to Rosemount and add the new proposed Cedar Avenue transitway services. Unless the reduction in Rosemount services shown in draft Update is restored, it will be difficult for Rosemount to support the resolution the final Update document. Sincerely, William H. Droste, Rosemount Mayor SPIRIT OF PRIDE AND PROGRESS Rosemount City Hall • 2875 145th Street West • Rosemount, MN 55068 -4997 651-423-4411 • TDD /TTY 651-423-6219 • Fax 651-423-5203 www.ci.rosemount.mn.us Q 0 -mon 1 1 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Update DRAFT REPORT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT July 2010 M vim LM. Fit Shed 7bWe .10D SDA Fft Skeet. SUMe 15M. WMeapaUfi. MN 55M R 612-37DOM(I . F 612-370-IM got vim LM. Fit Shed 7bWe .10D SDA Fft Skeet. SUMe 15M. WMeapaUfi. MN 55M R 612-37DOM(I . F 612-370-IM On July 13, 2010 the Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority authorized the release of the Draft 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update for public and agency comment. Comments will be collected from the public until August 13, 2010 and will be considered by the Dakota County Regional Rail Authority when finalizing the plan. Copies are available at www.dakotacounty.us, search "Cedar Avenue ". A printed copy of the plan will be available for review at the Physical Development Division Offices within the Dakota County Western Service Center located in Apple Valley at 14955 Galaxie Avenue. A copy of the plan will be available to review from 8AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, during the public comment period. The Physical Development Office is located on the third floor of the Western Service Center. Only written comments will be accepted and may be mailed to Sam O'Connell, Dakota County Transportation Department, 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley, MN 55124 or sent via e-mail to Sam.00onnell @co.dakota.mn.us. Comments must be received by the end of the business day on August 13, 2010 for consideration. Page 1 Ulm 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 1. CEDAR AVENUE TRANSITWAY: A LIFELINE FOR DAKOTA COUNTY As a main connection between the southern suburbs and both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Mall of America, the airport and the University of Minnesota, Cedar Avenue is one of the most traveled roads in Dakota County. More than 150,000 vehicles travel Cedar Avenue daily and that number is expected to almost double over the next 20 years as growth along the corridor continues. If no improvements are made in the corridor, congestion will continue to increase and traffic speeds will continue to decrease from an average of 35 mph today to 12 mph in 2030. Expanded transit service along Cedar Avenue is essential to meeting the needs of residents, businesses and commuters. Communities south of the Minnesota River have been rapidly growing for decades, as has traffic along Cedar Avenue. In the late 1990s, Cedar Avenue was identified as a high priority for light rail or bus rapid transit development for the region. Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority, in partnership with local cities, Hennepin County, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn /DOT) and the federal government have been working to develop bus rapid transit along Cedar Avenue. The Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority selected bus rapid transit as the best option for Cedar Avenue following an extensive evaluation of transit and highway alternatives and substantial public input. Bus rapid transit (BRT) was chosen because it combines the flexibility of buses with the frequency, speed and reliability of both commuter rail and light rail transit (LRT). BRT was also chosen for its ability to be implemented in phases. This provides flexibility by constructing transitway facilities or providing transit services when ridership and demand is warranted. Since buses operate on existing roadways, BRT has the advantage of operating on bus -only shoulders (i.e. widened and /or reinforced) to bypass congested roadways. BRT also uses convenient on -line stations and traffic signal priority to achieve a service similar to commuter rail and light rail transit service that is fast and reliable. Today, the Cedar Avenue Transitway is recognized as one of the first bus rapid transit corridors in the state. The Cedar Avenue Transitway (Transitway) will provide access to other regional transitway investments such as the Hiawatha light rail transit line, the Northstar commuter rail line and the Central Corridor light rail line. Investments in the Transitway will provide transit patrons with a seamless, convenient way to travel to many destinations in and around the Twin Cities. With its ability to ensure fast and reliable transit services, provide competitive travel time savings to the automobile and promote more sustainable transportation options, the Cedar Avenue Transitway will continue to be a lifeline for the residents and businesses of Dakota County. 2. CEDAR AVENUE TRANSITWAY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE Developing and implementing transit projects take time and extensive analysis. The Transitway has been in development since the late 1990s, seeking the most appropriate and reasonable transit and roadway improvements along Cedar Avenue. Project development activities include feasibility studies, Page 2 �5 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 an alternative analysis, preliminary engineering, environmental documentation, final design and ultimately, construction. In 1998, development of the Transitway was initiated with the beginning of the Cedar Avenue Corridor Study (Study). The purpose of the Study was to determine the feasibility of various transit options that could assist in meeting the growing travel demand on Cedar Avenue. The Study looked at numerous transit options including light rail and bus rapid transit. In addition, potential transit alignment options were considered that included Cedar Avenue, Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley and Nicols Road in Eagan. At the conclusion of the Study in 2001, the report documented the benefits and the costs of both BRT and LRT options along Cedar Avenue. Building off the results of the Cedar Avenue Corridor Study, a Federal Transit Administration compliant Alternatives Analysis (AA) was started in 2003 and was completed in 2004. The AA analyzed many elements for implementing transit options on Cedar Avenue. The AA documented the benefits and costs of: • Center, side and shoulder running BRT configurations • Capacity improvements to Cedar Avenue • Station Sites and configurations • Transit service concepts • Express to downtown Saint Paul, Minneapolis & Mall of America • Station to station services along Cedar Avenue • Ridership & Financial implications In March 2004, the Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority (DCRRA) selected BRT as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the Cedar Avenue Transitway. BRT was chosen for the following reasons: • Eighty percent of the transit service need is express service to both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul • BRT allows more flexibility to modify transit service based on community need • BRT requires less land acquisition and has less environmental impact • BRT is less capital intensive and therefore, less expensive than light rail • BRT is quicker to implement, addressing growing congestion issues sooner Page 3 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 In 2004, the Metropolitan Council 2030 Transportation Policy Plan, adopted in 2004, identified five "Tier 1" transitways as the first corridors to be examined for implementation. The Cedar Avenue Transitway was identified as one of the five Tier 1 transitways. In 2006, Preliminary engineering (PE) and environmental documentation commenced the development of bus shoulder lanes along Cedar Avenue between 138th in Apple Valley through County Road 70 in Lakeville. In addition, station development and property acquisition started in Eagan, Apple Valley and Lakeville for stations beginning operation in late 2009 and early 2010. In 2008, the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) developed and adopted an Interim Transit Investment Framework that includes capital and operating grants to the Cedar Avenue Transitway. Funding from CITB is used to construct the Apple Valley Transit Station and provide BRT express services to the Lakeville Cedar park- and -ride. In 2009, Final Design (FD) activities for the Transitway's bus shoulder lanes began and are ongoing at the time of this writing. FD follows the environmental process required by the federal partners of the Transitway's development. FD activities include the development of detailed working drawings, specifications, and cost estimates for the proposed transportation project. The primary objective of FD is to use all previous work done as a starting point to prepare contract plans and specifications that can be used to bid and construct the project with a minimum of field changes, delays, and cost overruns. Late 2009 and early 2010 also brought many exciting events in the Transitway. The Lakeville Cedar park- and -ride opened in Fall of 2009. In 2010, we saw the opening of the Apple Valley Transit Station and the Cedar Grove Transit Station in Eagan also opened for service. In 2010, construction of the Transitway's bus shoulder lane component will begin. First, utility relocations will occur in the fall to prepare for major construction in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, bus -only shoulders and other roadway improvements will be constructed from Dakota County Highway 42 in Apple Valley south to Dodd Boulevard in Lakeville. In 2012, bus -only shoulders and other roadway improvements will be constructed from Dakota County Highway 42 north to 138th Street in Apple Valley. In late 2012, station -to- station service is scheduled to begin in the Transitway. This service will use the newly constructed bus -only shoulders and on -line transit stations, providing benefits to all travelers along Cedar Avenue. 3. PROJECT OVERVIEW The 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update (2010 IPU) has been undertaken as a result of recent major events in the Twin Cities' transit direction. First, the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) was formed in 2008 that allowed Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington Counties to levy a quarter -cent sales tax dedicated to transit improvements. This new, dedicated source of funding for fixed guideway transit projects has helped accelerate the implementation of the Cedar Avenue Transitway (Transitway). Another positive change in the Page 4 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update um Draft Report • July 2010 implementation of the Transitway is the City of Lakeville joining the Regional Transit Capital Communities, formerly known as the Transit Taxing District. Third, the United States Department of Transportation awarded the Twin Cities with an Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) grant to fund major transit projects in the region that included elements of the Transitway, 1 -35W BRT, and the Marquette and Second Transit Project in downtown Minneapolis. Through UPA funding, the Cedar Grove, Apple Valley and Lakeville Cedar stations were realized in late 2009 and early 2010. Additionally, updates to the 2030 comprehensive plans for cities along the Transitway and Dakota County showed areas of growth and development along the Transitway. With these changes, a review and refinement to earlier assumptions and recommendations regarding the Transitway became imperative. Specifically, the 2010 IPU reexamines the following elements of the Transitway in order to guide the next stages of Transitway development: • Service plan • Ridership • Bus fleet • Station, park- and -ride, layover, and fleet storage and maintenance facilities • Station amenities 3.1. Agency Coordination • Technology enhancements • Transitway enhancements • Integration with the regional transit system • Capital and annual operating and maintenance costs • Implementation and financial plan. Because the Transitway uses Cedar Avenue (Dakota County Highway 23), Trunk Highway 77, Trunk Highway 62, and Interstate 1 -35W into downtown Minneapolis its development entailed coordination with multiple partners including Dakota County, Metropolitan Council, MVTA, Metro Transit, Mn /DOT, Lakeville, Apple Valley, Eagan, and Bloomington. To ensure communication and coordination between these multiple jurisdictions, the project has used an advisory structure that has been in place since the planning stages of the project, through design, environmental documentation, and construction. This structure has four elements — Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority, the Cedar Group, Project Management Team, and Technical Advisory Committee described as follows: • The Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority oversees the planning, development and implementation of bus rapid transit (through special legislation) for Cedar Avenue Transitway and other fixed guideway transit projects within the County. Staff from the Authority serves as the project manager for this 2010 IPU. • Cedar Group — The Cedar Group is composed mostly of elected officials from the cities and counties along the Transitway, the Metropolitan Council, MVTA, and representatives from the Page 5 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 business community. The Cedar Group — meeting bi- monthly -- has been the primary point of contact for their community's constituents in the IPU process. • Project Management Team — The Project Management Team is made up of representatives from Dakota County, MVTA, and the Metropolitan Council. The group's purpose is to provide technical and policy guidance to the project, specifically as it relates to the financial, funding, and work plan elements of subsequent steps of the Transitway's implementation. The group generally met twice a month. • Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) — The TAC was made up of City, County, and Transportation Agency staff. The TAC meets monthly and at key milestones throughout the project to provide technical guidance, discuss interim results, and review draft products. In addition to representatives from local governments along the Transitway, the TAC membership included staff from Metro Transit, Metropolitan Council, MVTA, and Mn /DOT. 3.2. Public Involvement and Engagement The purpose of public involvement in the 2010 IPU process was to support decision - making efforts and encourage an open, collaborative approach regarding a balanced transportation system. The key was to actively involve the community to create enthusiasm for and consensus on the Transitway. The IPU public involvement approach was to fulfill the following: • Communicate with and educate the public, neighborhoods, businesses, and agencies in the project area regarding opportunities and impacts that the Transitway may present for their community and /or area of interest. • Involve local residents and businesses in the decision - making process, thereby creating a sense of public ownership of the project. • Gain insight into issues of greatest concern or interest to the public, businesses, and municipalities along the Transitway and incorporate them into the decision making process. • Meet or exceed the requirement and intent of federal, state, and local public involvement policies. Outreach Activities Meaningful public input is not possible if constituents are uninformed about the project, or think it does not affect them. Several different outreach techniques were used to solicit a range of opinions regarding the Transitway. • Monthly Project Update Meetings — Each month throughout the project, the Dakota County hosted project update meetings, at either 7:30 a.m. or 6:00 p.m., enabling the residents to attend the meetings on their way to or from work. At each of the meetings, a presentation was Page 6 u� 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 given informing the public of progress made to date on the IPU and the larger Transitway project. • Public Open Houses — Three of the Monthly Project Update Meetings (September 2009, November 2009, and March 2010) were larger public open houses. The purpose of these open houses was to present information regarding all ongoing phases of the Transitway project to the public that included the Implementation Plan Update and Final Design. (This same format was used during Preliminary Engineering and the Environmental Assessment). Being an open house, the format was informal and allowed the public to talk to members of project team individually to answer questions that they have regarding various aspects of Transitway development. • Dakota County Web Site — The Dakota County web site serves as a clearinghouse for all information related to the development of the Transitway. Materials that are available from the web site include Transitway project history; meetings and events; construction updates; and information distributed at monthly project update meetings and open houses. • City Council Presentations — In addition to the Technical Advisory Committee and Cedar Group, the 2010 IPU was presented to individual city councils. Dakota County staff provided a preview of the preliminary recommendations of the 2010 IPU, answered questions and clarified findings and recommendations, acting as a vehicle for the cities to adopt them in their plans. • Special Presentations — Individual presentations are also part of the outreach for the 2010 IPU. This outreach included stakeholders such as Chambers of Commerce, community groups, and transportation boards (e.g. CTIB). Similar to the city council presentations, this format allowed Dakota County staff to focus the recommendations of the 2010 IPU to the particular interests of these groups. • Newsletters — Dakota County also issued printed newsletters as part of its outreach program on the Cedar Avenue Transitway. During the 2010 IPU, two newsletters were issued — in September 2009 and November 2009. These newsletters publicized upcoming open houses and provided updates on ongoing projects such as Final Design and the 2010 IPU. Summary of Public and Stakeholder Comments Received Throughout, the course of the outreach activities and public involvement several themes continued to come as important elements that should be incorporated into the planning of the Transitway. Community residents and transit riders wanted the Transitway to include: • Transit service that is both reliable and frequent — The public wants to know that if they want to take the bus from Cedar Grove Transit Center to go shopping in Apple Valley, that the buses will be there when they are scheduled to be. In addition, the public wants the reliability of knowing that when they are done shopping, they can walk to a bus stop and a bus will be there in a few minutes to take them back. Page 7 um 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 • Residents want stations that are convenient to their destination to quicken their overall trip. • Transit riders expressed a clear preference for shorter dwell time at stations. Riders consistently brought three means to accomplish this, as follows: — Fast fare collections systems similar to the off -board fare collection systems used on Hiawatha and Northstar. — Level boarding to allow persons with mobility limitations to board and deboard without the use of a ramp. — Interior bicycle racks to allow cycling patrons to wheel their bicycle into the bus. In addition, interior bicycle racks provide greater protection for bicycles and do not require passengers to lift their bicycle onto and off a rack. • Both residents and transit riders stated that they wanted the Transitway to be as an environmentally - friendly alternative to driving. They felt the Transitway should go beyond reducing dependence on personal automobiles to environmentally friendly buses, like hybrid - diesel buses used elsewhere in the Twin Cities. • Business and commercial property owners along the Transitway felt that: — Stations should compliment the nearby properties and buildings. — Station development should mirror initial ridership projections and increase capacity as transit demand increases. — Service should be fast and frequent enough to attract additional customers and convenient for employees to use. — Additional steps may be needed to ensure parking spaces near businesses are utilized by customers and not transit patrons. 4. TRANSITWAY VISION AND FRAMEWORK The Cedar Avenue Corridor Transitway Alternatives Analysis was completed in 2004 to determine the most appropriate transit improvements for the Cedar Avenue Transitway between the Mall of America (MOA) in Bloomington and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 70 in Lakeville. A Technical Advisory Committee and a Project Management Committee guided the study. Committee members were policy and technical representatives of the cities and other governmental jurisdictions in the Transitway. These committees adopted the following goals for the study: 1. Improve Transitway mobility. 2. Maximize the movement of people within the Transitway across the Minnesota River. 3. Provide cost - effective and efficient transit element of the transportation system. 4. Provide flexible, adaptable, and expandable transportation choices. 5. Enhance /promote transit - oriented development and economic development that are compatible with community planning goals. Page 8 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 6. Provide a convenient, desirable, and safe travel alternative. 7. Minimize adverse social, economic and environmental impacts, and pursue opportunities to enhance these qualities within the Transitway. The 2010 IPU is a continuation of the AA and seeks to guide the Cedar Avenue Transitway into the realization of the goals identified for the Transitway. The Transitway will provide rapid transit through a combination of express, station -to- station, and local service utilizing on -line stations, as well as bus -only shoulders. This unique combination of transit advantages will make transit service in the Transitway time competitive with the private automobile. Figure 4 -1 presents the 2030 vision for the Transitway. 4.1 Overview of Existing Transit Conditions The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) provides local and express bus services in the Cedar Avenue Transitway in Eagan and Apple Valley with service to Bloomington (illustrated on the following pages, Figures 4 -2 and 4 -3). Table 4 -1 Existine Transitwav Ridership Route Riders per Day in 20081 420 100 440 100 442 550 444 850 445 450 Local 2,050 472 450 476 550 477 1,500 479 50 480 2 200 Express 2,750 Transitway 4,800 1 Source: MVrA. 1 Route 480 only reflects the 37.5 percent of the ridership on the route that is in the Cedar Avenue Transitway. Express service is provided to downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. Express routes operate in the morning and afternoon peak periods on frequencies of 10 minutes to 30 minutes, and local routes on frequencies of 30 to 60 minutes. Metro Transit provides express services to Lakeville via the 1 -35W BRT Transitway with additional local transit services serving Bloomington as well. Currently, the Transitway has a strong ridership base associated with both local and express service in the Transitway. An important goal of providing additional transit enhancements in the Transitway is to ensure that these enhancements build on the existing ridership base and create new patrons for the local and station -to- station services. Table 4 -1 presents the 2008 average weekday ridership on MVTA routes operating within the Transitway. In 2010, five park - and -ride facilities exist along the Transitway — 28th Avenue Station in Bloomington with 1,440 spaces; Cedar Grove Station in Eagan with 164 spaces; Palomino Hills and Apple Valley Transit Station in Apple Valley with 312 and 750 spaces, respectively; and Lakeville Cedar in Lakeville with 190 spaces. These five facilities have a total capacity of approximately 2,860 spaces. The Apple Valley Transit Station and Palomino Hills facilities are currently full. There are three other park- and -ride facilities operated by MVTA that are proximate to the Transitway — Blackhawk park- and -ride lot at Cliff Road and 1 -35E; Burnsville Transit Station at Nicollet Avenue and TH 13; and 157th Street Station at Pilot Knob Road. As the Transitway develops, these facilities will experience an increase in usage as a result of investments in both transit service and capital facilities. Page 9 um 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Although these facilities are not directly located on the Transitway, the routes that serve them will operate on the Transitway, and patrons using these facilities will experience some of the benefits of the Transitway, i.e. reduced transit travel time. Page 10 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Figure 4 -1 2030 Cedar Avenue Transitway Vision Draft Report • July 2010 � 3ouMilaap irmiN -•• Ave. • • Existing Local Routes istdZliM3z E�oMOn� • ❑ Station and p&r lots Local All -Day Route l Not Shown: ROtde 441 (Sat, Service) Rd rte t r co IN. (wjkL • .a ''�' r 1 r zoo �. � _ tsar,sr , (s imam .• 4 � - ..� ..- ; l _. 7�OMi sr f i r ,57M SL a _ z i pps k�l� Y •4 } � /�' A� , - 67� INS 77 r Page 12 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Figure 4 -3 Existing Express Transit Routes Serving the Cedar Avenue Transitwayl ill Downlnwr, - .. - .� ". Routes Existing Express • Station and p &r lots i Expross Route r Y G 3 t- V n ra T 00 r V 7 r Y m ¢ ti ea. t' L "$ ".' q r 1661 a- ! Cs 1 � f o.s it' sts�,aT. Not Shown: a. Routes 478, 484 and the Burns Ole branch of Route 1 Route 475 express Cedar Grove Transit Station to University of Minnesota is scheduled to begin in fall of 2010. Page 13 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 4.2 Overview of Currently Funded Improvements within the Transitway The 2005 Implementation Plan identified four phases for project development of the Transitway. As shown in Table 4 -2 the 2005 Implementation Plan estimated the Transitway capital cost at approximately $120 million in 2003 dollars, and would require over 20+ years to implement. Table 4 -2 Summary of 2005 Implementation Plan Phases Phase Timeframe Capital Costs in 2003 dollars Phase 1— Strengthen Core BRT Service and Enhance BRT Facilities Within 5- years $27.18 million Phase 2 —Add Station -to- Station Service and On -Line Stations 5 to 10 years $15.68 million Phase 3 — Extend BRT 5 to 15 years $11.50 million Phase 4 — Expand and Improve BRT Service and Facilities Long Term $65.24 million Full Implementation of the Transitway 119.60 million The 2010 IPU is building on and updating the 2005 Implementation Plan and, as such, project development has transitioned from phases to stages of implementation. The 2010 IPU proposes the new staging timeline that reflects an updated and a more balanced approach to developing the Transitway: • Stage 1 defined as the period between 2009 and 2012 • Stage 2 defined as the period between 2012 and 2020 • Stage 3 defined as the period between 2020 and 2030 As of this writing, the Transitway is currently in Stage 1 of development, with several major elements of the Transitway already funded through the UPA, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), CTIB, and state bonds, either in part or in their entirety. The Transitway has secured approximately $105 million for the capital and project development /administration activities associated with Stage 1. Examples of those funded improvements that are still under design or construction include: • Runningway — Curb side bus -only shoulders along Cedar Avenue between 138th Street and 181St Street. • Stations - 140th Street and 147th Street Stations in Apple Valley; 28th Avenue Station in Bloomington. • Buses for station -to- station and express service (partial funding). • Technology enhancements — Driver Assistance System and real -time signage for the Mall of America Station are fully funded; other technology enhancements such as off -board fare collection and customer information systems at stations are partially funded. Additional information on each Stage and its associated costs are found in Section 7, Staging Plan. Page 14 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Va�w Draft Report • July 2010 4.3 2012 Transitway Vision The 2012 vision for the Transitway is to commence station -to- station service, in addition to express and local service, in late 2012 to connect the Mall of America /South Loop District in Bloomington, to Eagan, Apple Valley, and Lakeville. It is proposed that station -to- station service could operate with 10 minute peak /15 minute off -peak service from the South Loop District, through Eagan and Apple Valley, with every other bus continuing to Lakeville. The anticipated ridership for this new service is 2,250. Curbside bus shoulder lanes and stations are anticipated to be in place by 2012 for station -to- station service. The following stations are anticipated to be developed prior to the beginning of revenue operations — 28th Avenue, Mall of America Transit Center, Cedar Grove, 140" Street, 1471h Street, Apple Valley Transit Station, 1615t/162nd Street, and Lakeville Cedar (181St Street). Figure 4 -4 indicates the general location of these stations within the ultimate 2030 Transitway vision. The 2009 Implementation Plan Update is recommending moderate increases in express and local service in the Transitway to be introduced with start of station -to- station service. 2012 Service Plan and Ridership The 2010 IPU is recommending that in 2012, station -to- station service begin from the Mall of America /South Loop District and 28th Avenue Park and Ride in Bloomington, to Eagan, Apple Valley and Lakeville, along with, moderate expansion of the existing express and local service provided by MVTA in the Transitway. Figures 4 -5 and 4 -6 show 2012 conceptual express service in the Transitway, while Figure 4 -7 shows the conceptual local and station -to- station service plan for 20122. Further refinement of actual services to provided for express, local and station -to- station services should be initiated by the transit provider. The conceptual services plans identified in the 2010 IPU were developed for the purposes of estimating capital and operating costs, as well as modeling the potential ridership demand. The final alignment and service frequencies may differ from those that appear in the report. Page 15 .� 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Figure 4 -4 oned for 2030 Legend Station Type: Transit Center Numerous transfer opportunities and /or park - and -ride with more than 400 spaces Park - and -Ride Station Park- and -ride with less than 400 spaces and limited transfer opportunities Walk -up Station No park- and -ride and limited transfer opportunities General routing of station -to- station service begining in 2012 General routing of station -to- station service longterm Page 16 �S 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report a July 2010 Figure 4 -5 Conceptual Express Service Plan for 2012 To To To South To Minneapolis U of M L000 District St. Paul Rte 477 20 min. 195th St. 215th St. Cedar Grove (off -line stop) Palomino Hills (off -line) Apple Valley North (140th St.) 147th St. Apple Valley Transit Station Page 17 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 1 • / 1 , ... _ ...... __ ;Rte 473 1 � 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 / "Rte 476 ' / 1 / 1 � 1 , 1 1 1 1 / 1 1 � 1 � Rtes 471, 20 min. 475,479 161 st St. Lakeville - C _Arinr — -- -- Rte 477 20 min. 195th St. 215th St. Cedar Grove (off -line stop) Palomino Hills (off -line) Apple Valley North (140th St.) 147th St. Apple Valley Transit Station Page 17 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Figure 4 -6 Conceptual Express Service Plan Map for 2012 �, allwuf`•ap ,Wwa Cedar .� �Q ••- 1 Express Route .; Statlon and p &r lots • (> Express Route C1W Md. i j Y. qw z �,�}�� � ._�� r= � -� `�� � moo'• `��'� f a r • — Zao _ As A'' r _tsanae � _+ t r j 1671h del 600! 51 zq g Tt- i T 1 212er St. b0 ftj Page 18 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update um Draft Report • July 2010 Figure 4 -7 Conceptual Local and Station -to- Station Service Plan for 2012 r1,�otdti toop'DhMcf , IN o/Ant•rloar Cedar Av- Transitway Cf3alh S1..i101iQ!►g Conceptual • • Route Service Plan 6 • Cedar Ave. StotOVStop i� wca Aii -Day acne v, •• • Local K. Period Route cedar Ave. Station -to- Station c and Enxess Routes > : n,+m au�rr,anr ro r , � ,,� ,e �c�t mi�e rtxrrurrr n+.r�ev�eo zor> e , r can as t ® _ �� art �s �� °• 0.+ ` ,. !A N i OF- MO. ® - "`3sow s • �:i d°��� •.. t '-rl.;_?� i _ ! C ° � Y ' - t� ''--* jam` 0 oS t 2 i ``� T 21.a, f -- fr� $ 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Table 4 -3 presents the estimated 2012 Cedar Avenue Transitway ridership for recommended conceptual service plan. Table 4 -3 presents the total ridership by service type regardless of where the rider boarded or alighted the bus and provides a picture of regional transitway benefits. Table 4 -3 2012 Cedar Avenue Transitway Ridership - All Routes Using the Transitway Service Type 2008 Existing Ridership 2012 Forecasted Ridership Local 2,050 2,000 Express 2,750 3,500 To Minneapolis 2,550 2,900 To St. Paul 200 400 To U of Minnesota Not Applicable 200 Station -to- Station Not Applicable 2,250 Total 4,800 7,750 2012 Park - and -Ride Facilities As previously stated, five park- and -ride facilities directly serve the Transitway, with a total of approximately 2,860 spaces'. There is excess capacity at the 28th Avenue, Cedar Grove and Lakeville Cedar park- and -ride facilities. Apple Valley Transit Station and Palomino Hills are operating at capacity. The 2010 IPU is recommending additional analysis be done to determine how accommodate future park- and -ride demand in northern Apple Valley through the North Apple Valley Park - and -Ride Demand Project. Additional analysis is needed to quantify the costs and benefits of potential options of serving northern Apple Valley and meeting anticipated transit demand. Potential options could include adding additional capacity to the Apple Valley Transit Station park- and -ride structure, identifying an additional park- and -ride location between 1411h Street and 138th Street, providing the infrastructure to physically connect the Palomino Hills park- and -ride to the Transitway as well as other investment options. The final section of this document (Staging Plan) will address this topic. 3 Source: MVTA 4 Source: URS and Metropolitan Council travel demand model. ' Metro Transit, Engineering and Facilities, Facilities Planning, 2008. 2008 Annual Regional Park- and -Ride System Survey Report. Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, 2010. Park & Ride. Available: http: / /www.mvta.com /Park and Ride.html. Metropolitan Council, 2009. New peak express bus service from Lakeville to downtown Minneapolis launches Sept .28. Available: http: / /www.metrocouncil.org /news /2009 /news_653.htm Page 20 �wS 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 4.4 2030 Transitway Vision The 2030 vision for the Cedar Avenue Transitway includes extending the Transitway south along Cedar Avenue to 215th Street, utilizing the existing shoulders as bus -only shoulders and constructing stations at Cliff Road, Glacier Way, 195th Street, and 215th Street. Of these four new stations, only the 215th Street Station would include a park- and -ride. Numerous 2030 conceptual service plans were analyzed to assess the impact of different park- and -ride locations in northern Apple Valley, (Palomino Hills and 140th Street). Generally, the 2030 conceptual service consisted of: • Direct express service from each park- and -ride • Local /feeder service network — Expanded hours of service, geographic coverage, and frequency • Station -to- station service every 20 minutes in the peak and off -peak from Lakeville, and every 10 minutes in the peak and off -peak in Apple Valley and points north. Figure 4 -8 presents the conceptual 2030 express and station -to- station service that was modeled for services that included a park- and -ride at Palomino Hills. Figure 4 -9 presents the conceptual local /feeder service network that was used for all 2030 scenarios. 2030 Ridership Forecasts The 2030 ridership forecasts were developed employing two methodologies. The first methodology builds on the 2012 Scenario based on MVTA's existing service and assumes ridership will increase in proportion to population in the Transitway. This represents the lower -end of possible ridership in the Transitway in 2030. In addition, three full build -out scenarios were developed that represent the potential ridership with a robust transit network and varying park- and -ride configurations in northern Apple Valley. The 2030 forecasted weekday ridership for all routes in the Transitway range from 11,250 to 19,200 - with the higher end of the ridership forecasts representing a higher level of region -wide travel benefits. Table 4 -4 indicates that there would be no significant difference in the forecasted Transitway ridership between the three full build -out scenarios. Please note that the 2010 IPU recommends, at a planning level, that any future transit service investment should be tied to ridership demand. Periodic ridership updates will need to be conducted to monitor service demand to plan for additional services and /or facilities. As the ridership modeling exercise was based on the Metropolitan Council's regional transportation model, any modifications to the model or socio- economic data supporting the model may impact the 2030 ridership forecasts. Moving forward, period updates to the ridership forecasts have been included in each stage of transitway development. Page 21 um 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Figure 4 -8 2030 Conceptual Express and Station -to- Station Service Plan To To Minneapolis U of M 1 1 r r 1 1 15/ -- -430 I 1 301 -- 30/- To South To LOOD District St. Paul Station (140th St.) 1 r r 147th St. 1 Cedar Grove 1 (off -line stop) 1 Apple Valley Cliff Road I 1 � 1 1 � 1 1 t 1 / 1 t 1 1 I I 1 1 � � / i � i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 � 1 � 1 1 r 1 1 1 1 � 1 1 r r 1 1 15/ -- -430 I 1 301 -- 30/- To South To LOOD District St. Paul 20/20 - 161 st St. - Glacier Lakeville Cedar -195th St. 215th St. 20/20 Apple Valley North Station (140th St.) 1 r r 147th St. 1 Cedar Grove 1 (off -line stop) 1 Apple Valley Cliff Road / Palomino (off -line stop) 1 20/20 - 161 st St. - Glacier Lakeville Cedar -195th St. 215th St. 20/20 Apple Valley North Page 22 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update um Draft Report • July 2010 Station (140th St.) 1 r r 147th St. 1 1 i Apple Valley Transit Station 30/ -- Page 22 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update um Draft Report • July 2010 Figure 4 -9 2030 Conceptual Local Service Plan tObf: a 1 j � Cedar Ave. SlotiorVStop Local A i•Doy Route a .• Local Pk Period Route Cedar Ave. Station- toStatcon a ; r y and Express Routes AAw mpA poste a vnp r for Yxvd +e/w0o 1d>•Mn AfiNIBJNV 2bo 'u s LAIi '�Sif f � t t i oA o 'e rr, . o os co Ra 0 C■R Rd o - • «_ r' `• ' r 5th 91: .:M �Ll ;'- -ia v� -Si 1 1 gl U,s 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Table 4 -4 2030 Ridership Forecasts for Cedar Avenue Transitwav6 2030 Park - and -Ride Facilities Currently, the 28th Avenue (in Bloomington), Cedar Grove (in Eagan), and Lakeville Cedar (in Lakeville) park- and -ride facilities have additional capacity, while the two Apple Valley park- and -ride facilities (Apple Valley Transit Station and Palomino Hills) are operating at capacity. The Apple Valley Transit Station was designed to accommodate future expansion. However, the Palomino Hills park -and -ride facility has significant challenges associated with expanding the facility. In addition, the travel demand modeling completed as part of the 2010 IPU indicated that a park- and -ride facility located in the vicinity of 140th Street and Cedar Avenue would attract more commuters than Palomino Hills park -and- ride with equivalent service. As a result, this may be a better location to develop a park- and -ride facility. The Metropolitan Council estimates that by 2030 there will be demand for an additional 1,400 park - and -ride spaces in Apple Valley8. The 2010 IPU is recommending that MVTA conduct the Apple Valley Park - and -Ride Siting Project to identify when and where these park- and -ride spaces should be built in Apple Valley. However, since the existing facilities are currently operating at capacity, development of the additional park- and -ride spaces in Apple Valley is targeted for Stage 2. The expansion /development of other park- and -ride facilities Cedar Grove, Lakeville Cedar (expansion), and 215th Street (development) are currently planned for Stage 3. 6 The Metropolitan Council Travel Demand Model may be overestimating local ridership. Assumes no additional service from recommended service 2012, and 2.1 percent increase in ridership per year from 2012 to 2030. $ Metropolitan Council, 2009. Regional Solicitation of Federal Transportation Projects. Appendix G included the 2030 park- and -ride demand by TAZ for the Twin Cities. http: / /www.metrocounci Lore /planning/ transportation /RegSolicit /2009 /AppgndixG5.htm Page 24 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Assumes no With Park -and- 2008 additional service With Park -and- Ride at With Park -and- Service Type Existing from Ride at 140th St Palomino and Ride at Palomino Ridership recommended 140th St 20127 Local 2,050 2,900 9,850 9,850 9,550 Express 2,750 5,050 5,350 5,400 5,400 To Minneapolis 2,550 4,200 4,050 4,150 4,200 To St. Paul 200 550 11000 950 900 To U of Minnesota 0 300 300 300 300 Station -to- station 0 3,300 3,650 3,950 4,000 Total 4,800 11,250 18,850 19,200 18,950 2030 Park - and -Ride Facilities Currently, the 28th Avenue (in Bloomington), Cedar Grove (in Eagan), and Lakeville Cedar (in Lakeville) park- and -ride facilities have additional capacity, while the two Apple Valley park- and -ride facilities (Apple Valley Transit Station and Palomino Hills) are operating at capacity. The Apple Valley Transit Station was designed to accommodate future expansion. However, the Palomino Hills park -and -ride facility has significant challenges associated with expanding the facility. In addition, the travel demand modeling completed as part of the 2010 IPU indicated that a park- and -ride facility located in the vicinity of 140th Street and Cedar Avenue would attract more commuters than Palomino Hills park -and- ride with equivalent service. As a result, this may be a better location to develop a park- and -ride facility. The Metropolitan Council estimates that by 2030 there will be demand for an additional 1,400 park - and -ride spaces in Apple Valley8. The 2010 IPU is recommending that MVTA conduct the Apple Valley Park - and -Ride Siting Project to identify when and where these park- and -ride spaces should be built in Apple Valley. However, since the existing facilities are currently operating at capacity, development of the additional park- and -ride spaces in Apple Valley is targeted for Stage 2. The expansion /development of other park- and -ride facilities Cedar Grove, Lakeville Cedar (expansion), and 215th Street (development) are currently planned for Stage 3. 6 The Metropolitan Council Travel Demand Model may be overestimating local ridership. Assumes no additional service from recommended service 2012, and 2.1 percent increase in ridership per year from 2012 to 2030. $ Metropolitan Council, 2009. Regional Solicitation of Federal Transportation Projects. Appendix G included the 2030 park- and -ride demand by TAZ for the Twin Cities. http: / /www.metrocounci Lore /planning/ transportation /RegSolicit /2009 /AppgndixG5.htm Page 24 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 2030 I -35W /Cedar Avenue Transit Travelshed The 1 -35W Transitway is parallel to the Cedar Avenue Transitway and will also have bus rapid transit station -to- station service beginning in 2012. Using a select link analysis to analyze the 2030 model results allowed for the identification of transit travelsheds for both the 1 -35W and Cedar Avenue Transitway crossings over the Minnesota River. Figure 4 -10 shows the distinct travelshed for each transitway as well as the overlapping portions of their travelsheds. The majority of the transit travelsheds for both Transitways is located south of the Minnesota River, reflecting the strong northern transit commute patterns from Dakota County. However, the model does indicate that some riders beginning their trip in the South Loop District will use the Cedar Avenue Transitway to travel south into Dakota County. The majority of the potential riders originating in the Mall of America /South Loop District will use the 28th Avenue park- and -ride, via pedestrian movements, to access Cedar Avenue Transitway services. This option of accessing the Transitway via walking is a strong testament to the transit oriented development (TOD) principles and zoning the City of Bloomington has enacted in the Mall of America /South Loop District to encourage alternative travel options. Similarly, the 1 -35W Transitway will also have transit riders starting their trip in the southern portion of Bloomington (primarily south of Old Shakopee Road) who will use the 1 -35W to travel to Dakota County. South of the Minnesota River, the 1 -35W Transitway travelshed includes TAZs west of 1- 35W/1- 35 and the TAZs east of Cedar Avenue and north of what will be 180th Street make up the Cedar Avenue Transitway travelshed. There are several TAZs located between 1- 35/1 -35W and Cedar Avenue that are split between the two travelsheds and south of what will be 180th Street. Of interest is the model's indication that the transit riders from the TAZs near Farmington (circled in red) would travel past Cedar Avenue for the benefit of the faster transit travel times along 1- 35/1 -35W9. The transit trips originating south of the Minnesota River for both Transitways are headed to destinations north of the River. 9 The Travel Demand Model assumes maximum transit travel speeds of 50 miles per hour (mph) on 1 -35W Transitway and maximum transit travel speeds of 35 mph along Cedar Avenue, TH 77, and TH 62. Page 25 u$ 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Figure 4 -10 2030 Transit Travelsheds for 1 -35W and Cedar Avenue BRT Transitways Legend a a. CedarAvenueStation -to- Station Alignment i !a Interstate �+ -- - _ H�hwa ' i I Transit Travel Shed ' 1- 35WTransitTravelshed - t! 0 (more than 70% of transit trip on 1 -35" J) I Page 26 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report a July 2010 S. 2009 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN UPDATE RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the analysis of ridership, cost, benefits and feedback from the Cedar Avenue Transitway stakeholders and public, this 2010 Implementation Plan Update makes the following recommendations. Timing and cost of each of these elements are described in detail in Section 4 as well as Section 7. 5.1 Runningway Runningway is the exclusive or semi - exclusive bus lane. The Transitway will utilize numerous types of runningways to take advantage of regional transit advantages while providing cost effective transit travel time advantages. Stage 1: 2009 - 2012 • Curbside bus -only shoulders on Cedar Avenue (Dakota County Highway 23) between 138tH Street and 181St Street are in final design. Construction will begin in 2011 and will be completed in fall of 2012, in time for the start of station -to- station service. • For express service to /from downtown Minneapolis, buses will continue to use bus -only shoulder on TH 77 and TH 62 north of Bloomington, employ the transit advantage for buses traveling northbound TH 77 to westbound TH 62 and access the High Occupancy/Toll (HOT) lanes on 1 -35W and utilize the designated transit corridors on Second and Marquette in downtown Minneapolis. Stage 2:2012 - 2020 • Provide transit advantage for southbound buses traveling to TH 77 from the South Loop District. Currently, buses experience delays from Killebrew Drive to southbound TH 77 in the afternoon peak hours. Further analysis and coordination with the City of Bloomington, MVTA, and the Metropolitan Council, at a minimum, are needed to identify how best to improve transit travel times for buses entering and exiting the South Loop District to southbound TH 77. Consideration should be given to rerouting of buses via Old Shakopee Road (Hennepin County Highway 1). Providing transit advantages along Old Shakopee Road may provide a significant travel time savings at lower cost than providing a transit advantage on the on ramp from Killebrew Drive to TH 77. Stage 3:2020 - 2030 • Long -term, center - running transitway is no longer recommended for the long -term because of the high capital cost associated with its implementation; and its potential to limit Mn /DOT's ability to provide additional capacity to TH 77 as recommended in its pending TH 77 Managed Lane Study. In addition, center - running operations would require additional weaving of transit vehicles to serve on -line stations and return to bus -only shoulders. Instead, a more cost- Page 27 tm 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 effective means of enhancing travel time savings and reliability would be to provide direct access between stations (e.g. Cedar Grove and Cliff Road) and TH 77. - Connecting Cedar Grove Transit to the Transitway is a priority of MVTA and the City of Eagan and is envisioned through providing a pedestrian connection the platforms on the Transitway. To provide greater information and analysis of this can be accomplished, funding for an access design project has been identified in Stage 1. • Long -term, buses would use existing shoulders on Cedar Avenue between 181St Street and 215th Street. These shoulders were constructed accommodate buses. 5.2 Stations and Park -and Ride Facilities Stations are where riders board and alight the buses. They also provide a connection between the Transitway and the surrounding community. Some stations along the corridor are designed to be walk- up stations — stations that have no park- and -ride facilities. Some stations, like the Cedar Grove Station, Figure 5 -1 the Apple Valley Transit Station and the Lakeville Cedar Apple Valley Transit Station station will have park- and -ride facilities. Some stations will accommodate only local and station -to- station service. In addition, some stations will also accommodate express services. With such flexibility, the Transitway can add capacity as transit demand grows over time for transit services without making large initial investments. The 2010 IPU recommends that when locating and sizing transit stations that ridership, service levels, roadway impacts, bike and pedestrian connectivity as well as development potential be considered. • This Implementation Plan Update reaffirms location and function of stations identified in the Alternatives Analysis, i.e. at Mall of America, Cedar Grove, Cliff Road, 140th Street, 147th Street, 181St Street (Lakeville Cedar), 195th Street, and 215th Street. (Figure 5 -1 show Apple Valley Transit Station) • New station locations resulting from the 2010 IPU include 28th Avenue Park - and -Ride in Bloomington and 161St/162nd Street and Glacier Way in Lakeville. • Provide pedestrian bridges at locations such as Cedar Grove, 140th Street, 147th Street and Lakeville Cedar (similar to the facility at Apple Valley Transit Station) as warranted by ridership, safety, and operations. Page 28 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Stage 1: 2009 - 2012 • Cedar Grove, Apple Valley, and Lakeville Cedar Transit Stations have been constructed. These stations have park- and -ride facilities. • Construct walk -up stations at 140th Street, 147th Street, and 161St Street in 2012 for 2012 ridership projections and allow for expansion capability as ridership grows. • Park - and -Ride Facilities were constructed at Cedar Grove, Apple Valley, and Lakeville Cedar Transit Stations. Figure 5 -2 shows the existing park- and -ride at the Apple Valley Transit Station. • This updated analysis confirms the need for more detailed analysis regarding how to provide additional park- and -ride capacity in northern Apple Valley, i.e. limited expansion capability at the Palomino Hills facility, vis -a -vis traffic and access constraints at a potential site in the northwest quadrant of 140th Street /Cedar Avenue. Stage 2:2012 - 2020 • Construct Glacier Way Station as a walk -up station. • Construct park- and -ride facilities in Apple Valley Recommended by the Apple Valley Park - and -Ride Siting Project. • Add a pedestrian skyway connection and additional capacity to the 140th Street station as warranted by ridership and service demand. • Apple Valley: Add 1,400 spaces in Apple Valley, in addition to the 750 spaces available at the Apple Valley Transit Station) as identified by the Apple Valley Park - and -Ride Siting Project. Stage 3:2020 - 2030 riallra 5..7 • Construct walk -up stations at Cliff Road in Eagan and 195th Street in Lakeville. • Construct park- and -ride station at 215th Street in Lakeville. • Add pedestrian skyways at Cedar Grove, 147th Street, and Lakeville Cedar Transit Stations, as warranted. • Expand park- and -ride facilities at Cedar Grove and Lakeville Cedar Transit Stations. • Eagan: Add 550 spaces at Cedar Grove Transit Station Page 29 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 • Lakeville: Add 200 spaces at Lakeville Cedar Station; construct 200 spaces at 215th Street Station. 5.3 Transit Fleet Based on feedback from stakeholders and the public, station -to- station vehicles are recommended to have the following features: • Streamlined, rail like, aerodynamic appearance to allow passengers waiting at a station to easily recognize the bus and distinguish it from other buses operating within the Transitway. • On -board fare collection to offer greater flexibility for route planning and use of vehicles along various routes • Off -board fare collection systems to decrease station dwell times and shorten passenger in- vehicle travel time Figure 5 -3 On -Board Bicycle Racks Swift BRT, Snohomish County, WA • Multiple doors to facilitate boarding and alighting and reduce station dwell times • On -board bicycle racks to decrease boarding and alighting time and reduce station dwell times; could allow buses to accommodate more than two bicycles at a time (as compared to racks installed on the front of the bus. Figure 3 -3 shows the on -board bicycle rack used on Swift BRT. • Compliant with Americans with Disability Act (ADA), for compliance with federal law • Compliant with Buy America Requirements, for purposes of federal and state funding requirements • Diesel- hybrid propulsion, for cleaner air emissions and quieter buses • Low - floor, to facilitate boarding and alighting Implementation of the Transitway will require MVTA to expand its fleet of express and local buses in addition to adding station -to- station vehicles to the fleet. Table 5 -1 shows how the fleet will increase by Stage. Stage 1: 2009 - 2012 • Ten 40 -foot buses for station -to- station service • Three additional express buses Page 30 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Im Draft Report • July 2010 • Four additional local /feeder buses. Stage 2: 2012 - 2020 • Seven additional express buses (seven new plus four shifted from local service due to recommended changes in local /feeder network the total increase in buses used for express service is 11). • Twenty -six Local /feeder buses (13 new and 13 replacement) Stage 3: 2020 - 2030 • Eleven 60 -foot buses for station -to- station service (as required by ridership and scheduled vehicle replacement) • Twenty -four express buses (nine new and 14 replacement, plus three shifted from local service) • Fifty -eight additional local /feeder buses (16 additional and 42 replacement) Table 5 -1 Cedar Avenue Transitwav Fleet Reauirements1, Service and vehicle type Existing Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Total Total Increase from Existing Total Increase from Stage 1 Total Increase from Stage 2 Increase from Existing Station -to- station vehicles 0 10 10 10 0 11 1 11 Express (Standard) 51 54 3 65 11 77 12 27 Local 16 20 4 29 9 42 13 26 Standard 12 16 4 12 -4 9 -3 -3 Cutaway 4 4 0 17 13 33 16 29 Total 67 84 16 104 20 130 26 64 5.4 Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facility As the size of the transitway fleet increases, there is also the need to increase capabilities to store and maintain vehicles. Stage 1: 2009 - 2012 io In Stages 2 and 3, the number of standard buses needed for local service decreases from the previous Stage. It was assumed that these buses will be used to off -set the need to purchase additional express buses, since MVTA provides express service in the Transitway with standard buses. 11 The table above only includes increases in the MVTA fleet; all buses in the MVTA fleet will need to be replaced when they reach the end of their useful life, 12 -years for station -to- station vehicles and standard buses, 5 -years for cutaway buses. Page 31 um 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 • MVTA will use its planned expansion and existing storage and maintenance facilities in Eagan to accommodate the increase in the vehicle fleet during Stage 1. Stage 2:2012 - 2020 • MVTA is planning to expand the Eagan Bus Garage to accommodate fleet increases associated with station -to- station, express, and local service for Stage 2. Stage 3:2020 - 2030 • In the long -term, the 2010 IPU recommends a project to develop and analyze alternatives for to expand MVTA's systemwide capabilities for vehicle storage and maintenance and not just due to fleet expansion associated with the Cedar Avenue Transitway or station -to- station service. 5.5 Vehicle Layover Facilities Layover facilities provide increased schedule reliability and quality of transit service, by minimizing the impact of congestion and other delays on transit service. Some layover facilities also provide break facilities for bus drivers. An overall recommendation is to coordinate Transitway layover needs with Metro Transit's 2010 Downtown Minneapolis Layover Study, ensuring adequate layover facilities are available in downtown Minneapolis will require continual coordination between MVTA and Metro Transit. Stage 1: 2009 - 2012 • Provide layover capability in Apple Valley near the Apple Valley Transit Station, as recommended in the forthcoming 2010 Apple Valley Layover Siting Project. Provide layover capability in the vicinity of 28th Avenue /Mall of America/ South Loop District for three buses. Stage 2:2012 - 2020 • The forthcoming 2010Apple Valley Layover Siting Project will provide more detail regarding the needs layover facilities in the Transitway. Stage 3:2020 - 2030 • The 2030 conceptual service plan proposed in the 2010 IPU would require an additional layover space in Apple Valley or in Lakeville to maintain schedule reliably. 5.6 Technology Use of technology in the Transitway will improve service reliability and the passenger experience with the Transitway, resulting in increased ridership. Technology will be implemented in the Transitway as stations are constructed, vehicles are acquired, and the runningway is built /extended. Page 32 �.S 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 • Implement the same, consistent and uniform on- and off -board fare collection used on the Hiawatha light rail and Northstar commuter rail and is anticipated for Central and Southwest Transitways. • Provide customer information /real -time signs at stations, similar to those at the Mall of America Transit Center and Marquette and Second Avenues in downtown Minneapolis. • Install Driver Assist System to facilitate buses to stay within the runningway on Cedar Avenue between 138th and 181St Streets and deploy along the Transitway as needed. • Implement Transit Signal Priority to minimize delays to buses at signalized intersections along Cedar Avenue south of 138th Street. The use of transit signal priority will be explored for as a way to reduce transit travel time to /from Cedar Grove Transit Station and TH 77. 5.7 Enhancements Transitway enhancements will improve passenger experience and result in additional ridership. In addition to providing a benefit to the transit riders, transitway enhancements will also improve the pedestrian and bicycle environments in the Transitway, encouraging walking and bicycling. Improving the pedestrian environment along the Transitway is important because it allows transit riders to complete the final portion of the trip via pedestrian movements comfortably. Similar to technology enhancements, transitway enhancements will be implemented as the stations are constructed and the runningway is built /extended. • Additional streetscaping will provide visual and enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. (Figure 5 -4 is a sketch of wayfinding proposed in Apple Valley) • Public art is encouraged, but not mandated, and can be achieved through the use of construction materials and elements with function. • Identify opportunities to partner with businesses, arts organizations and other stakeholders along the Transitway and implement public art. Figure 5 -4 Sketch, Apple Valley Wayfinding Monument 5.8 Service Plan The 2010 IPU is recommending the following service plans are developed and implemented along the Transitway: Stage 1: 2009 - 2012 • Moving forward, the 2010 IPU suggests making minor changes to express and local /feeder 2010 existing service that primarily eliminate redundancy with the introduction of station -to- station Page 33 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 service in 2012. The 2010 IPU recognizes the need for the development of detailed service and operating services plans to be developed by the transit provider. • In 2012, station -to- station service is recommended as follows: - From Lakeville to the Mall of America /South Loop District: Every 20 minutes in the peak and every 30 minutes in the off -peak - From Apple Valley to the Mall of America /South Loop District: Every 10 minutes in the peak and every 15 minutes in the off -peak. - More detailed service plans will need to be developed prior to implementation of station - to- station service. Stage 2:2012 - 2020 • Continue to expand express and local service to meet ridership demand. • Investigate the option of offering hybrid station -to- station and express service to some stations and destinations along the Transitway. • Increase frequency of station -to- station service as warranted by ridership to provided as follows: - From Lakeville to the South Loop District: Every 20 minutes all day - From Apple Valley to the South Loop District: Every 10 minutes all day. Stage 3:2020 - 2030 • Provide direct express service to downtown Minneapolis from all park- and -rides in the Transitway • Expand the local feeder network to access more neighborhoods, business districts and local attractions • In 2030, station -to- station service is recommend as follows: - From Lakeville to the Mall of America /South Loop District: Every 20 minutes all day - From Apple Valley to the Mall of America /South Loop District: Every 10 minutes all day. 5.9 Other Recommendations The following recommendations have regional implications that need to be addressed within a larger context than the Cedar Avenue Transitway. The Regional Transitways Group is anticipated to address these additional topics. • Improvements to the South Loop District Page 34 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 - Expansion of the Mall of America Transit Center: The Mall of American Transit Center is the focus of significant transit services and infrastructure in the Twin Cities that include the Hiawatha light rail line, and Metro Transit and MVTA services today. In the future, additional development in the area and growth in the Twin Cities' transit network would add demand at the facility. The facility also has virtually no expansion capability to accommodate long -term growth. Also, existing security procedures to enter the facility as required by the Mall of America (a private entity) add to transit travel times, which impact the attractiveness of using transit. A comprehensive analysis of the South Loop District that involves stakeholders such as transit providers, Metropolitan Council, and the City of Bloomington (at a minimum) should examine these needs in detail to determine the long- term plan for the area. — American Boulevard /1 -494, Chicago Avenue and Seventh Street BRT Corridors: The Metropolitan Council's 2030 Transit Policy Plan identifies these three arterial BRT lines connecting to the Cedar Avenue Transitway. Required services and infrastructure to provide or facilitate these connections are regional in nature and should be addressed as such. — The City of Bloomington estimates an additional 15 million square feet of development will on in the South Loop District over the next 40 years 12. The anticipated development will only increase the traffic related delays MVTA buses experience exiting the South Loop District to TH 77. As part of the South Loop Project, it will be important to identify a long -term solution to reduce transit travel times from the South Loop District to TH 77. An option that should be considered in could providing a transit advantages on the Killebrew Boulevard to southbound TH 77 ramp and along Old Shakopee Road to TH 77. When considering the routing of buses along Old Shakopee Road consideration should be given to, a station located at the intersection of 86th Street and Old Shakopee Road. • Maintenance facility for other station -to- station service such as 1 -35W: Depending on the station -to- station vehicle that is selected and whether a regional BRT fleet is decided upon, there might be economies of scale associated with sharing common maintenance facilities for station -to- station fleet. With BRT service envisioned not just on Cedar Avenue, but 1 -35W, 1- 494 /American Boulevard, Chicago Avenue and Seventh Street as well, this issue warrants further discussion. • Branding for other station -to- station service such as 1 -35W, 1- 494 /American Boulevard, Chicago Avenue, and Seventh Street should be consistent and easily recognizable as BRT. Branding for BRT services is key to their success and should be given careful consideration during implementation. 12 City of Bloomington, 2010. South Loop (formerly Airport South) District Energy. Available: httr): / /www.ci.bloominRton.mn.us/ citvhall /dent/ commdev/ DfanninR/ loneranR /southloop /distrenergv.htm Page 35 tw 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 6. CEDAR AVENUE TRANSITWAY FUNDING PLAN The Cedar Avenue Transitway, like most major capital transit investments, has been and will continue to be funded through a combination of local, state, and federal funds. For planning purposes, major transit capital projects in the Twin Cities region are assumed to be funded in one of two ways, with varying combinations of federal and non - federal sources such as the State of Minnesota, CTIB and other local sources such as municipal funds. The first method employs the FTA's Section 5309 (New Starts) funds, with the typical funding ratios: • 50 percent FTA Section 5309 • 30 percent CTIB • 10 percent State of Minnesota 0 10 percent other local. As an example, the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project is partially funded by the FTA's New Starts program. The project is currently in preliminary engineering. Depending on the size and scope of a project, the New Starts project development process has rigorous requirements, entails extensive environmental documentation, and is an extremely competitive process. This typical funding formula will be pursued for Stages 2 and 3. The Cedar Avenue Transitway AA determined that the project would not enter the New Starts program. For projects such as Stage 1 of the Cedar Avenue Transitway — i.e. non -New Starts — a lower federal share of funding capital cost is anticipated, as indicated in the following formula: • 30 percent Federal • 30 percent CTIB • 30 percent State of Minnesota • 10 percent other local. 6.1 Funding To -Date As of this writing, over $105 million have been secured for the capital development of the Cedar Avenue Transitway. These funds have come from five sources: federal, state, Regional Transit Capital (formerly the Twin Cities regional transit taxing district), CTIB, and local sources such as Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority, and Transitway communities. Table 6 -1 presents the funding secured for the project to -date. Page 36 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Table 6 -1 Capital Fundine Secured for the Cedar Avenue Transitwav13 Federal Through various federal programs, the Transitway has secured approximately $45 million. This includes a CMAQ grant used to purchase vehicles. UPA funds were used for station development, including Cedar Grove, Apple Valley, and Lakeville Cedar. UPA funds were also used to fund a portion of the DAS Technology that is being installed on buses operating in the Transitway. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds were used to fund a portion of preliminary engineering and the environmental assessment for the runningway. FHWA funds will also be used to fund a portion of the construction of the bus -only shoulders to Cedar Avenue. State The Transitway has used and will continue to use the State of Minnesota bonding authority to fund portions of the capital costs of the Transitway. State bonds have been used to fund right -of -way acquisition, final design of the runningway, a portion of preliminary engineering and the environmental assessment for the runningway, and station development for the Cedar Grove, Apple Valley, and Lakeville Cedar Transit Stations. State bonds were used to provide off -board fare collection and real time information signs at the Mall of America Transit Center. In addition, property tax supported regional transit capital (RTC) bonds have been used to fund capital elements of the Transitway. As of this writing, the State legislature has approved the use of approximately $25 million in State bonding for the Transitway. However, use of additional State bonding funds does require the approval of both the Legislature and Governor, on a biannual basis. The 2010 bonding bill passed by the Legislature included $43 million for Transitways, $9 million of which was targeted for developing the Cedar Avenue Transitway. However, these funds were removed from the bonding bill through the use of a line -item veto by the Governor. The continued use of State bonds will depend on bi- annual Legislative and Gubernatorial approval. Counties Transportation Improvement Board (CTIB) In 2008, a 0.25 percent sale tax and a $20 excise tax on vehicles sold at retail dedicated to Transitway development /operations were passed by five counties in the Twin Cities region, including Dakota County. The revenues from this tax are managed by the CTIB. The sales tax and vehicle excise tax create a dedicated source for transit funding in the Twin Cities region. CTIB is made up of 13 Dakota County presentation to the CTIB on May 19, 2010. Page 37 U 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Federal State CTIB DCRRA Dakota County Regional Transit Total Cities Capital Funding Secured $45.18 $25.21 $23.27 $9.47 $2.16 $105.29 ($ million) Federal Through various federal programs, the Transitway has secured approximately $45 million. This includes a CMAQ grant used to purchase vehicles. UPA funds were used for station development, including Cedar Grove, Apple Valley, and Lakeville Cedar. UPA funds were also used to fund a portion of the DAS Technology that is being installed on buses operating in the Transitway. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds were used to fund a portion of preliminary engineering and the environmental assessment for the runningway. FHWA funds will also be used to fund a portion of the construction of the bus -only shoulders to Cedar Avenue. State The Transitway has used and will continue to use the State of Minnesota bonding authority to fund portions of the capital costs of the Transitway. State bonds have been used to fund right -of -way acquisition, final design of the runningway, a portion of preliminary engineering and the environmental assessment for the runningway, and station development for the Cedar Grove, Apple Valley, and Lakeville Cedar Transit Stations. State bonds were used to provide off -board fare collection and real time information signs at the Mall of America Transit Center. In addition, property tax supported regional transit capital (RTC) bonds have been used to fund capital elements of the Transitway. As of this writing, the State legislature has approved the use of approximately $25 million in State bonding for the Transitway. However, use of additional State bonding funds does require the approval of both the Legislature and Governor, on a biannual basis. The 2010 bonding bill passed by the Legislature included $43 million for Transitways, $9 million of which was targeted for developing the Cedar Avenue Transitway. However, these funds were removed from the bonding bill through the use of a line -item veto by the Governor. The continued use of State bonds will depend on bi- annual Legislative and Gubernatorial approval. Counties Transportation Improvement Board (CTIB) In 2008, a 0.25 percent sale tax and a $20 excise tax on vehicles sold at retail dedicated to Transitway development /operations were passed by five counties in the Twin Cities region, including Dakota County. The revenues from this tax are managed by the CTIB. The sales tax and vehicle excise tax create a dedicated source for transit funding in the Twin Cities region. CTIB is made up of 13 Dakota County presentation to the CTIB on May 19, 2010. Page 37 U 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 representatives from five metro counties and the Chair of the Metropolitan Council. CTIB requires a 10 percent local match for all capital grants. CTIB funds were used to fund a portion of the Apple Valley Transit Station. CTIB funds will be used to fund a portion of the runningway improvement in the Transitway and are planned to be used to fund 30 percent of all other capital costs associated with implementation of the Transitway. In addition to capital funding, CTIB can provide up to 50 percent of annual operating and maintenance costs for station -to- station and BRT express service. Based on the recommended service plan for 2012, this funding is estimated at $1.77 million annually, in 2009 dollars. Local: Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority In 1987, the Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority (DCRRA) was created with broad authority to oversee the development and implementation of BRT in Dakota County. The DCRRA has the authority to levy up to 0.04835 percent of the market value of all taxable property situated within Dakota County (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 398A.04(8)). DCRRA provided a portion of the funding for the Apple Valley Transit Station and will provide a portion of the funds for the development of runningway along Cedar Avenue. DCRRA will be a source of the 10 percent local match for all CTIB funds used for the implementation of the Transitway. Local: Cities The Cities of Apple Valley and Lakeville provided funding for a portion of the runningway improvements within their respective cities for Stage 1 development 7. STAGING PLAN Findings and recommendations on conceptual service planning, ridership, and capital needs have led to the development of the staging plan defined in this document. Capital and operating and maintenance costs accompany the elements under each project implementation stage. Note that there is a difference in costs identified in the 2009 Implementation Plan Update relative to the 2005 Plan, as the latter did not include estimates for the following major elements: • Buses (fleet) • Fleet storage and maintenance • Technology— Customer information, transitway, fare collection • Maintenance and layover facilities • Transitway enhancements • Ridership specific to route and station Page 38 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 • Adjustments for growth in the system • Environmental documentation • Enhancements such as public art, service marketing and branding • Project management and oversight • Periodic plan refinements This staging plan was developed using results of technical analysis, vetted through the Technical Advisory Committee, Project Management Team, Cedar Group and the Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority. The staging plan encompasses three time periods, similar to the 2005 Implementation Plan. Stage 1 encompasses the time 2009 through 2012, when station -to- station service is envisioned to begin. Stage 2 is the period between 2012 and 2020, while Stage 3 represents the long -term plan, from 2020 to 2030. There are many variables that can impact the ultimate implementation and either advance or delay Transitway elements, they include: • Capital and operating funding • Ridership demand • Increased transportation costs (e.g. gas, parking) • Development. Thus, this staging plan includes periodic updates. Following is a summary of the elements of each stage in the plan. 7.1 Stage 1: 2009 - 2012 Stage 1 is preparing for the introduction of station -to- station service. It represents the most visible transformation of the Cedar Avenue into a Transitway. Stage 1 includes the introduction of runningway on the shoulders of Cedar Avenue from 138" to 181" Street, as well as, the construction of transit stations and park- and -ride facilities. Transit riders will also notice the benefits provided through transit technology. Many of the elements in Stage 1 are under design or have been constructed as part of the UPA improvements. Express and local transit riders are benefiting from the early implementation of these elements. Table 5 -1 presents the elements included in Stage 1. Page 39 tm 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Table 7 -1 Summary of Stage 1 Elements Element Description Cost in 2009 Funding dollars Secured Runningway Bus -only shoulders along Cedar Avenue between 138th and 181St $52.31 million $52.31 million Streets Stations Cedar Grove Transit Station - Opened in March 2010; with 164 park- 2.62 million 2.62 million and -ride spaces and passenger waiting facility Apple Valley Transit Station - Opened in January 2010; with 750- 21.48 million 21.48 million space parking garage; temperature- controlled passenger waiting areas and pedestrian bridge over Cedar Avenue. Lakeville Cedar Station - Opened in September 2009; with 190 -space 2.68 million 2.68 million park- and -ride 140,n Street Station - Walk -up station with anticipated boardings of 3.50 million 3.50 million 250 to 1,410 per day, depending on whether a park- and -ride is associated with the station. 147` Street Station - Walk -up station with anticipated boardings of 3.50 million 3.50 million 450 to 700 per day. 1615`1162" Street Station - The implementation of this station in 1.40 million - Stage 1 depends on the findings of the Lakeville Station Siting Project. A walk -up station is envisioned at this location, with 50 to 100 boardings per day, and would serve the more developed area of Lakeville proximate to Dakota County Highway 46. Lakeville Cedar Station - Shelter upgrade for station -to- station service 0.31 million - 28t Avenue Station - Improvements at this station include a bus pull- 0.20 million 200,000 off for station -to- station service, sidewalk reconstruction, shelter upgrade, and real -time signs. Buses Station -to- station: 10 -40' buses 7.35 million 2.94 million Express: 3 -40' buses 1.42 million 1.26 million Local /feeder: 4 -40' buses 1.89 million - Vehicle Storage Layover facility allowance 1.55 million - Storage and maintenance allowance: and Maintenance /Layover Station -to- station 3.00 million - Express 0.90 million - Local /feeder 1.20 million - Technology Off -board fare collection, customer information system, real -time 9.05 million 6.73 million signs, Driver Assist, and Transit Signal Priority Project Includes this Implementation Plan Update, project administration for 7.46 million 7.46 million Development/ construction of stations and runningway between 138th and 181St Administration Streets; various projects such as Apple Valley Layover and Lakeville Station Siting; Environmental Assessment for station -to- station service; etc. Annual Operating Incremental cost in 2012, by type of service: and Maintenance Station -to- station 2.90 million - Cost Express 0.46 million - Local /feeder 0.27 million - Additional BRT facilities 0.17 million - Stage 1 Totals Capital $114.36 million $97.22 million Project Development /Administration 7.46 million 7.46 million O &M 3.80 million - Page 40 u� 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Of the total capital needs in Stage 1, $98.06 million are already funded, yielding $18.66 million that require additional funding. The $7.46 million in project development /administration are fully funded. The $3.8 million in 0 &M cost for additional transit service do not have identified funding. Although, 50 percent of the increased O &M costs associated with station -to- station and express service is eligible for operating funds through CTIB, or 1.77 million in 2012. One of the priorities that this study was tasked to confirm was the need for a station at 140th Street and 147th Street. The ridership forecasts for 2012 and 2030 indicate that there is indeed a need for stations at these two locations. In the short- and mid -term, the range of boardings at the 140th Street Station is from 250 to 1,400 per day, depending on whether the station remains a walk -up station or it includes a park- and -ride facility. Similarly, the range of boardings at 147th Street Station is from 450 to 700 per day — a narrower range than 140th Street Station because there is no other scenario for a station here but a walk -up. 7.2 Stage 2: 2012- 2020 During Stage 2 the Transitway will be augmented through introduction of additional service and facilities. Stage 2 will guide the Transitway through early years of operations, Stage 2 will expand Transitway facilities, towards the ultimate 2030 vision for the Transitway. Transit riders will continue to experience the benefits of Transitway, as local and express service is expanded in the Transitway. Table 4 -2 summarizes the implementation elements included in Stage 2. Stage 2 is the period between 2012 and 2020. At this juncture, funding for all Stage 2 elements have yet to be identified. Page 41 tM 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Table 7 -2 Summary of Stage 2 Elements Element Description Cost in 2009 dollars Runningway Transitway improvements between the South Loop District stations $5.20 million and southbound TH 77 Stations Apple Valley park- and -ride allowance for 1,400 spaces, pending 39.89 million findings of Northern Apple Valley Park - and -Ride Siting Project. 140` Street Station pedestrian bridge 1.72 million Glacier Way Station, pending findings of Lakeville Station Siting 1.40 million Project Buses Station -to- station: No increase over Stage 1 -- Express: 7 -40' buses, in addition to Stage 1(shift 4 from local) 3.31 million Local /feeder — 26 -30' buses (13 additional over Stage 1 and 13 4.24 million replacement) Vehicle Storage and Layover facility allowance — No increase over Stage 1 -- Storage and maintenance allowance: Maintenance /Layover Station -to- station — No increase over Stage 1 -- Express — Increase of 7 over Stage 1 2.18 million Local /feeder— Increase of 13 over Stage 1 4.06 million Technology Off -board fare collection, customer information system, real -time 1.82 million signs, Driver Assist, and Transit Signal Priority Project Development/ South Loop Project, Stage 2/3 Planning, and Maintenance Facility 0.95 million Administration Project Annual Operating and Incremental cost in 2020, by type of service: Maintenance Cost Station -to- station 3.44 million Express 1.50 million Local /feeder 1.21 million Additional BRT facilities 0.50 million Additional bus garage 0.40 million Stage 2 Totals Capital $63.82 million Project Development /Administration 0.95 million O &M 7.07 million 7.3 Stage 3: 2020 - 2030 Stage 3 is the realization of the long -term vision for the Transitway. It includes the extension of the Transitway south from Lakeville Cedar Transit Station to 215th Street Transit Station, as well as the expansion of existing stations with the addition of new stations and park- and -ride facilities. Table 4 -3 below summarizes the implementation elements included in Stage 3. Stage 3 is the period between 2020 and 2030. At this juncture, funding for all Stage 3 elements have yet to be identified. Page 42 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update um Draft Report • July 2010 Table 7 -3 Summary of Stage 3 Elements 1100 "All �.. - ma, _ x ' f 0:n in way lading findings of °Mi jpbVs TH 77l anaged fh6e Shudy. Stations Cedar Grove —Add 550 structured spaces to park- and -ride 1345 m914on Cliff Road— Walk -up station 2.34 million 147 Street— Pedestrian bridge allowance 1.72 million Lakeville Cedar —Add 200 park- and -ride spaces 2.80 million 195 Street — Construct walk -up station as development warrants 1.40 million 215 Street — Construction station with 200 -space park- and -ride 2.99 million Buses Station -to- station: 11 articulated buses 13.86 million Express: 9 additional and 14 replacement 40' buses (shift 3 from 10.87 million local) Local /feeder: 16 additional and 42 replacement 30' buses 9.44 million Vehicle Storage and Layover facility allowance — Increase of one space over Stages 1 and 2 0.19 million Storage and maintenance allowance: Maintenance /Layover Station -to- station — For 1 artics 0.31 million Express — For 9 buses, increment over Stages 1 and 2 2.81 million Local /feeder— For 16 buses, increment over Stages 1 and 2 4.99 million Technology Off -board fare collection, customer information system, real -time 2.65 million signs, Driver Assist, and Transit Signal Priority Project Development/ Stage 3 Planning, Maintenance Facility Project 0.55 million Administration Annual Operating and Incremental cost in 2030, by type of service: Maintenance Cost Station -to- station 4.11 million Express 2.80 million Local /feeder 2.40 million Additional BRT facilities 0.61 million Additional bus garage 0.50 million Stage 3 Totals Capital $70.11 million Project Development /Administration 0.55 million O &M 10.43 million 7.4 Cedar Avenue Transitway Cedar Avenue Transitway is being implemented in three Stages. Table 7 -4 below presents a summary of costs by Stage for each of the major elements. Page 43 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 Table 7 -4 Summary of Cedar Avenue Transitway Elements by Stage t ni New: CIIff Rd;'Station,195th fit. Station, 215tH St. Transit Station $ 25.00 $ - Expanded: Cedar Grove Transit Station, 147th St. Station, Lakeville Cedar Transit Station Costs 2009 ($ millions) Funded Portion ($ millions) Stage 1: 2009 - 2012 Prepare for Station - Station Service in 2012 $ 34.17 $ - Total Capital $ 114.36 $ 97.22 Runningway $ 52.31 $ 52.31 Stations $ 35.69 $ 33.98 New: Cedar Grove Transit Station, 140th St. Station, 147th St. Station, Apple Valley Transit Station, 161st St. Station, and Lakeville Cedar Transit Station Expanded: 28th Avenue Transit Station Buses $ 10.66 $ 4.20 Vehicle Storage Maintenance and Layover $ 6.65 $ - Technology $ 9.05 $ 6.73 Project Development /Administration $ 7.46 $ 7.46 Annual Incremental Operating & Maintenance Cost $ 3.80 $ - Stage 2: 2012 - 2020 Augment Stage 1 Service and Facilities Total Capital $ 63.82 $ - Runningway $ 5.20 $ - Stations $ 43.02 $ - New: Glacier Way Station Additional 1,400 park- and -ride spaces in Apple Valley location pending Apple Valley Station Siting Project. Expand 140th St. Station Buses $ 7.54 $ - Vehicle Storage Maintenance and Layover $ 6.24 $ - Technology $ 1.82 $ - Project Development /Administration $ 0.95 $ - Annual Incremental Operating & Maintenance Cost $ 7.07 $ - t ni New: CIIff Rd;'Station,195th fit. Station, 215tH St. Transit Station $ 25.00 $ - Expanded: Cedar Grove Transit Station, 147th St. Station, Lakeville Cedar Transit Station Buses $ 34.17 $ - Vehicle Storage Maintenance and Layover $ 8.30 $ Technology $ 2.65 $ - Project Development /Administration $ 0.55 $ - Annual Incremental Operating & Maintenance Cost $ 10.43 $ - Page 44 *�� 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update X+s�.7 Draft Report • July 2010 8. NEXT STEPS Station -to- station service is scheduled to begin revenue operations in late 2012 from Lakeville to Apple Valley, Eagan, and the Mall of America /South Loop District in Bloomington. To this end, the following work plan for the period between 2010 and 2012 has been developed: • Environmental Assessment — MVTA is leading the Environmental Assessment activities that documents the impacts of station -to- station service and construction of additional stations along the Transitway. The EA must be completed prior to the construction of any new stations, ordering of vehicles and the beginning station -to- station service. It is anticipated that the EA will be completed by early 2011. • Cedar Avenue Reconstruction — Dakota County will reconstruct Cedar Avenue from 138th Street in Apple Valley to 181St Street in Lakeville to include curbside bus -only shoulders. This project also includes construction of pedestrian enhancements and streetscaping. It is anticipated that bus shoulder lanes will be constructed by Fall of 2012. • Apple Valley Layover Siting Project MVTA is conducting a project examining numerous locations for a possible layover facility in Apple Valley. It is anticipated the project will be completed by late summer 2010. • Apple Valley Park - and -Ride Siting Project — MVTA will identify the location and schedule for adding 1,400 park- and -ride spaces in Apple Valley. • Lakeville Station Siting Project — DCRRA will identify the location of stations in Lakeville. The Project will consider station access and pedestrian crossing issues. It is anticipated this project will be completed by late 2010, early 2011. • Vehicle Procurement — MVTA will lead vehicle procurement activities. The following additional buses required to provide service in the Transitway: — Station -to- station: 10 buses — Express: 3 buses — Local: 4 buses. • Cedar Grove Transit Station Access Project — DCRRA, MVTA, City of Eagan, Mn /DOT, Metropolitan Council, and Metro Transit will develop a plan to decrease transit travel time to /from TH 77 and the Cedar Grove Transit Station for both the short and long -term. • Mall of America /South Loop District Transit Plan — Metropolitan Council, Metro Transit, MVTA, City of Bloomington, DCRRA, and Mn /DOT will develop a coordinated plan to address the future transit needs of the South Loop District. The plan will address the expansion of the MCA Transit Center, layover facility needs, transit advantages to /from TH 77, and accommodation for future arterial BRT lines in the Mall of America /South Loop District. Page 45 Em 2010 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Report • July 2010 4.0 STAGE 3 CONCEPTUAL PROJECT SERVICE PLAN Initial service planning efforts for this project started with the definition of 2030 Horizon Year (Stage 3) service plans. The Stage 3 service planning effort took into consideration: • Recent transit service changes implemented by MVTA since completion of the AA; • Review of recent travel demand model forecasts that were prepared by URS that utilized the Cedar Avenue Corridor Transitway AA service plan as a starting point; • Recent service plan meetings with Dakota County and MVTA staff; and • Input received from the project's Technical Advisory Committee. The new conceptual Stage 3 service plan assumes the following facilities are in place: • 215th Street park- and -ride station • 195th Street walk -up stop • Lakeville Cedar park- and -ride station (existing) • Glaacier Way walk -up stop • 161St Street walk -up stop • Apple Valley Transit Station (existing) • 147th Street walk -up stop • 140th Street /Apple Valley North (either park- and -ride or walk -up, to be determined) • Palomino Hills park- and -ride (remains only if 140th Street is a walk -up stop) • Cliff Road walk -up stop • Cedar Grove park- and -ride station (existing) • 28th Avenue park- and -ride station (existing) • Mall of America Transit Center (existing) There are three scenarios for Stage 3. Scenario 1 assumes the the 140th Street Station includes a park - and -ride lot and the Palomino Hills park- and -ride lot is not included as part of the corridor service plan. US Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Page 9 coN is Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 Scenarios 2A and 2B assume the Palomino Park- and -Ride lot remains in place and part of the corridor service plan, and 140th Street is either remains a walk -up station, or 140th includes a park- and -ride. Buses will operate on bus -only shoulders along TH 77 to the end of the freeway in Apple Valley, and then operate in curbside bus lanes along Cedar Avenue (CSAH 23) to the southern terminus in Lakeville. ITS features are proposed to minimize bus delays at traffic signals. Specific route assumptions for the conceptual service plan are described in the following sections of this chapter of the report. Figures 4 -1 and 4 -2 illustrate the Corridor's conceptual express and station - to- station service plan for the two alternative scenarios (i.e., with and without a park- and -ride lot at Apple Valley North /140th Street Station). Figure 4 -3 illustrates conceptual local route service for the scenario that assumes a park- and -ride lot at 140th Street. Local service assumptions do not change for the scenario that assumes the park- and -ride lot remains at Palomino Hills. Table 4 -1 presents service frequencies for each route. 4.1 Station -to- Station Service to South Loop District Two station -to- station route patterns are proposed. The first route pattern starts at 215th Street and makes stops at all on -line Cedar Avenue stations and stops (215th Street, 195th Street, Lakeville Cedar, Glacier Way, 161St Street, Apple Valley Transit Station, 147th Street, 140th Street and Cliff Road). This route then deviates off of TH 77 to stop at Cedar Grove, before continuing to the South Loop District, including stops at the 28th Street LRT Station and Mall of America Tranist Center. If Palomino Hills remains in place, this route would also deviate to /from this off -line park- and -ride lot. The second route pattern provides supplemental service north of Apple Valley Transit Station. This route pattern starts at Apple Valley Transit Station and makes the same stops as the first route pattern. Proposed weekday frequencies for both route patterns in this Stage 3 conceptual service plan are 20- minutes in the peak and midday periods. These service frequencies result in a combined frequency of 10- minutes north of Apple Valley Station in this conceptual service plan. The full route pattern to 215th Street would also continue to operate by itself at 20- minute frequencies in the evening period. Conceptual weekend service consists of the full route pattern only (i.e. from 215th Street to the South Loop District). Proposed Saturday frequencies are 20- minutes during the day and evening periods. Proposed Sunday frequencies are 30- minutes during the day and evening periods. 4.2 Express Service to Downtown Minneapolis Non -stop express routes are proposed from each of the corridor's park- and -ride lots (215th Street, Lakeville Cedar, Apple Valley Transit Station, 140th Street /Palomino Hills, and Cedar Grove Transit Station). These routes would operate in the peak periods only at the following service frequencies: • 215th Street — 30- minute frequencies • Lakeville Cedar Station —15- minute frequencies Page 10 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update.5 Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 �� • Apple Valley Transit Station — 5- minute frequencies 140th Street — 7.5- minute frequencies (also stops at Palomino Hills if this park- and -ride remains in place) • Cedar Grove— 15-minute frequencies. US Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Page 11 �ff c is Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 Figure 4-1 Conceptual Express and Station-to-Station Service Plan for Stage 3, Scenario 1 (Without Palomino Hills and With 140th Street Station as a Park-and-Ride) TO TO Minneapolis U of M 5/.- 30/- ''it 5/__ --/30 30/-- To South TO )op District St. Paul _0 Cedar Grove (off-line stop) Cliff Road Apple Valley North Station (140th St. I 147th St. Apple Valley Transit Station 20/20 30/ -- - 161 st St. Glacier Lakeville Cedar 195th St. 215th St. 20/20 Page 12 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update UM Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 Figure 4 -2 Conceptual Express and Station -to- Station Service Plan for Stage 3, Scenario 2A and 2B (With Palomino Hills Remaining a Park - and -Ride) To To Minneapolis U of M r � r r r r 30/ -- To South )op District --V- 215th St. 20/20 To St. Paul " Cedar Grove (off -line stop) r r Cliff Road r r Palomino (off -line stop) r r r r � � r r � r r r � r � r � r r � r � r r r r r r r r r r r r � r r � � � � r � I � r r r r r r r r � � r � r r r r 30/ -- To South )op District --V- 215th St. 20/20 To St. Paul " Cedar Grove (off -line stop) r r Cliff Road r r Palomino (off -line stop) r Apple Valley North _ Station (140th St.) Apple Valley Transit Station UM Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Page 13 49 c is Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 Figure 4 -3 Conceptual Local Service Route Plan for Stage 3 — All Scenarios Page 14 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update UM Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 �,�� Table 4 -1 Service Frequencies for Stage 3 Conceptual Service Plan (Year 2030) — All Scenarios Weekday Saturday Sunday UM Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Page 15 4w Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 Service Frequency ,• Midday Loc 1 Cedar Grove Station to Apple Valley Station via Blackhawk P &R 1 30 60 30 60 U) m Loc 2 Cedar Grove Station to Apple Valley Station via Burnsville P &R 30 60 30 60 Loc 3 Apple Valley Station to Burnsville P &R via Palomino 30 60 30 n/a ° Loc 4 Apple Valley Station to Rosemount via 157th St P &R Frmr 420 30 60 30 n/a m Loc 5 Burnsville Ctr to Apple Valley to Lakeville Cedar via 157th St P &R 30 60 30 n/a m Loc 6 Apple Valley Station to Crystal Lake 30 60 30 n/a U. Loc 7 Apple Valley Station to 215th St Station via Pilot Knob 30 n/a 30 n/a ° c Loc 8 215th St Station to 181st St Station via Dodd Blvd 30 n/a 30 n/a e° Loc 9 215th St Station to Farmington 30 n/a 30 n/a 0 Loc 10 140th St. Station to Pilot Knob /Diamond Path 30 60 30 n/a 11 444 Savage and Burnsville to Mall of America 30 30 30 60 445 Cedar Grove Station to Eagan via Yankee Doodle Rd 30 60 30 60 — NEW 215th to South Loop District 20 20 20 20 U) N NEW Apple Valley to South Loop District 20 20 20 n/a NEW 215th to Minneapolis k dir. only) 30 n/a 30 n/a U) NEW Lakeville Cedar to Minneapolis k dir only) 15 n/a 15 n/a .mod. c 'o NEW Apple Valley to Minneapolis k dir only) 5 n/a 5 n/a CL R NEW 140th to Minneapolis k dir only) 7.5 n/a 7.5 n/a H NEW Cedar Grove to Minneapolis k dir only) 15 n/a 15 n/a _ ly CL 472 Eagan to Downtown Minneapolis - Nicols /Diffle k dir only) 30 n/a 30 n/a w 472 Eagan to Downtown Minneapolis - Diffle /Thomas k dir only) 60 n/a 60 n/a NEW Lakeville Cedar -Cedar Grove - Minneapolis CBD -U of M n/a 30 n/a n/a o 2 NEW Cedar Grove to University of Minnesota (pk dir only) 30 n/a 30 n/a 480 Bunsville to DT St. Paul (Heart of City) 3 trips n/a 3 trips n/a A K Eagan to DT St Paul Black Hawk PNR 2 trips n/a 2 trips n/a w NEW Apple Valley -140th to St. Paul (pk dir only) 30 n/a 30 n/a Saturday Sunday UM Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Page 15 4w Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 Combined, these express routes result in 28 bus trips /hour to /from downtown Minneapolis from the Cedar Avenue Corridor. In addition to the routes described above, Route 472 is proposed to continue operating at existing frequencies. Route 472 accesses TH 77 at Cliff Road. 4.3 Express Service to the University of Minnesota Non -stop express service is also proposed directly to the University of Minnesota. This route would operate from the Cedar Grove park- and -ride lot at 30- minute frequencies in the peak period, peak direction. Service would operate only on weekdays. 4.4 Midday Service to Downtown Minneapolis and the U of M The conceptual service plan also includes midday service to both downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota. This conceptual route pattern starts at Lakeville Cedar Station and serves all on -line Cedar Avenue Stations and stops north of this station (Apple Valley Transit Station, 147th Street, 140th Street, Cliff Road). This route then deviates off TH 77 to serve the Cedar Grove park -and- ride, then continues to downtown Minneapolis with a stop at the 1 -35W 46th Street BRT Station. This route will follow Route 465's alignment through downtown Minneapolis to the University of Minnesota. Proposed weekday service frequencies are 30- minutes in the midday only. 4.5 Express Service to Downtown St. Paul Express New service is proposed from Apple Valley Transit Station. This route would stop at the 140th Street stop before continuing to downtown St. Paul via 1 -35E. If Palomino Hills remains in place, this route will also stop at this off -line park- and -ride lot. Proposed weekday service frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak period, peak direction only. 4.6 Local Route Service The service plan described above will require a supporting bus feeder plan. Presently, many of MVTA's express and Mall of America routes provide service to neighborhoods off of Cedar Avenue. The service plan, as described above, streamlines express and station -to- station service. Thus, feeder routes will be needed to continue to provide neighborhood service to the trunk service that is provided at Cedar Avenue stations and stops. Ten local /feeder routes are proposed to ensure local route service that currently exists in the corridor, and to reflect expansion of this coverage. Two of the local routes will also provide connections to 1 -35 BRT service. Local ##1 This route is designed to provide service in neighborhoods east of Cedar Avenue, between Cedar Grove and the Apple Valley Transit Station. Starting at Cedar Grove, the conceptual alignment follows: Cedarvale Blvd., Rahn Rd., Cliff Lake Rd., Cliff Rd., Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., McAndrews Rd., Galaxie Ave., 150th Street, Garrett Ave. and 155th Street. Proosed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak Page 16 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update.5 Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 periods and 60- minutes in the midday and evening periods. Weekend service is also proposed at 60- minute frequencies. Local #2 This route is designed to provide service in the neighborhoods west of Cedar Avenue, between Cedar Grove and the Apple Valley Transit Station. Starting at Cedar Grove, the conceptual alignment follows: Nicols Rd., Cliff Rd. Nicolet Avenue (stopping at the Burnsville Transit Station), 134th Street, 140th Street, Garden View Drive, Whitney Drive and 155th Street. Proposed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak periods and 60- minutes in the midday and evening periods. Local #3 This route is designed to provide service between the Apple Valley Transit Station, the Burnsville Center Mall and the Burnsville Transit Station. Starting at Apple Valley, the route follows 155th Street, Whitney Drive, Pennock Lane /Ave., 140th St, Cedar Avenue (serving at the 140th Street stop), McAndrews Rd., Pennock Ave., Palomino Drive, 140th Street, McAndrews Rd., Portland Avenue, Nicollet Blvd. and TH 42 to Burnsville Center. The route alignment then follows Aldrich Avenue, McAndrews Rd., and Nicolet Ave., to the Burnsville Transit Station. Proposed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak periods and 60- minutes in the midday. Weekend service is also proposed at 60- minute frequencies. Local #4 This route replaces the existing MVTA Route 420 and generally follows the current alignment with one exception. At the west end of the route, the proposed alignment follows Pilot Knob Road, 160th Street, Flagstaff Ave., 157th Street, Gas Light Drive and 155th Street to Apple Valley Transit Station. Proposed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak periods and 60- minutes in the midday. Local #5 This route is designed to provide direct service between the Burnsville Center Mall and the Apple Valley Station area, with continuing service to residential neighborhoods south of this commercial area. From Apple Valley Station, this route follows 155th Street, Garrett Ave., 150th Street, Pilot Knob Road, 160th Street, Flagstaff Avenue, Gerdine Path, Dodd Blvd., and Cedar Avenue to the Lakeville Cedar Station. This route will also provide connecting service to /from 1 -35 BRT service. Proposed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak periods and 60- minutes in the midday. Saturday service is also proposed at 60- minute frequencies. Local #6 This route is designed to provide service to neighborhoods west of the Apple Valley Transit Station. From Apple Valley Station, this route follow 155th Street, Whitney Drive, Garden View Road, Highland Ave., 165th Street, Kennick Ave., 162nd Street, Jaguar Avenue, back to 165th Street. This route also provides connecting service to /from 1 -35 BRT service. Proposed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak periods and 60- minutes in the midday. UM Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Page 17 c is Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 Local #7 This route provides connecting service to residential areas at the south end of the corridor, east of Cedar Avenue. From the Apple Valley Station, this route follows 155th Street, Gas Light Drive, 157th Street, Flagstaff Ave., 160th Street, Pilot Knob Road, 212th Street and Cedar Avenue to the 215th Street Station. Proposed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak periods only. Local #8 This route is designed to provide service to Lakeville residents that live west of Cedar Avenue. From the 215th Street Station, this route follows: 215th Street, Dodd Blvd., 207th Street, Ipava Ave., 185th Street, Dodd Blvd., and Cedar Avenue to the Lakeville Cedar Station. Proposed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak periods only. Local #9 This route is designed to provide service to Farmville residents. From the 215th Street Station, this route follows: Cedar Avenue, 212th Street, Chippendale Avenue, 220th Street and 3rd Street, back to Elm Street. Proposed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak periods only. Local #10 This route is designed to provide service east of 140th Street Station. This route follows 140th Street to Diamond Path to Pilot Knob. Proposed weekday frequencies are 30- minutes in the peak periods and 60- minutes in the midday. 4.7 Existing Route Modifications The above service plan, as described in Section 4.1 through 4.6 of this chapter, results in several modifications to existing MVTA service in the Cedar Avenue Corridor. Specific route changes are as follows: • Route 420 — Eliminated and replaced with Local Route #4, as described above. • Routes 437 and 438 — Elimnated and replaced with restructured service,a s described above. • Routes 440 and 442 — Eliminated and replaced with Cedar Avenue BRT service and restructured local service, as described above. • Route 444—No changes are proposed. • Route 445 — Route is turned back at Cedar Grove Station, with continuing service to South Loop District provided by Cedar Avenue station -to- station service. • Route 472 — No changes are proposed. • Routes 476, 477 and 479 — Eliminated and replaced with new corridor express service, as described above. Page 18 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010c is • Route 480 — Branch that presently begins at Apple Valley Station is eliminated and replaced with new St. Paul express service, as described above in Section 4.5. No other changes are proposed. 4.8 Bus Travel Time Estimates Bus travel times were estimated for all station -to- station and express routes. Bus run times assume a maximum 35 mph operating speed on Cedar Avenue in the peak periods, 20- second station /stop dwells and traffic signal delays. Express routes operating to downtown Minneapolis assume 50 mph maximum speeds along the 1 -35W BRT busway. The estimated peak period one -way travel time from 215th Street to the South Loop District (the station -to- station service) is approximately 43- minutes if there is no stop at Palomino Hills, resulting in an average speed of 23 mph. If there is a stop at the off- line Palomino Hills park- and -ride, the estimated peak period one -way travel time increases to 47 minutes (i.e., an additional 4- minutes). The estimated peak period one -way travel time to downtown Minneapolis from each of the park -and- ride lots is as follows: • 215th Street — 49.5 minutes • Lakeville Cedar— 42.25 minutes • Apple Valley Transit Station — 36.75 minutes • 140th Street — 33 minutes w/o Palomino stop, 37 minutes with Palomino stop • Cedar Grove — 26.75 minutes. The peak period travel time from Apple Valley Station represents a 9- minute improvement over the existing bus travel time — due to both improved speeds along Cedar Avenue and improved speeds along 1 -35W (by using the BRT busway). Run time estimates for station -to- station and express route patterns are provided in Appendix A at the end of this report. 4.9 Operating Requirements Operating requirements were estimated for the service plan that is described above. Cycle times were calculated by including time for layover /recovery. Daily trips were estimated on the basis of service hour and frequency assumptions. Table 4 -2 presents a summary of weekday, Saturday and Sunday estimates of service statistics by route for Scenario 1 without the Palomino park- and -ride. Table 4 -3 presents service statistics with the Palomino park- and -ride (Scenarios 2A and 26). Detailed service statistics by route are provided in Appendix B. UM Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update Page 19 �ff c is Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010 Table 4 -2 Summary of Corridor Service Statistics for Stage 3 Conceptual Service Plan - Scenario 1 (Without Palomino Park - and -Ride) Peak Buses 34 9 52 3 8 106 Platform Hrs. 1,717 1,440 0 0 0 3,157 Weekday 334 153 244 11 22 764 Saturday 149 79 0 0 0 228 Sunday 105 47 0 0 0 152 Annual 98,988 45,927 62,148 2,767 5,682 215,511 Revenue Miles Weekday 4,110 2,568 4,524 196 392 11,790 Saturday 1,717 1,440 0 0 0 3,157 Sunday 1,239 960 0 0 0 2,199 Annual 1,209,197 785,400 1,153,620 49,878 99,960 3,298,055 Change from Existing Peak Buses Ann. Platform Hrs. Ann. Revenue Miles 52 114,530 1,806,136 Table 4 -3 Summary of Corridor Service Statistics for Stage 3 Conceptual Service Plan - Scenarios 2a /2b (with Palomino park- and -ride) Peak Buses 34 10 52 Platform Hrs. 107 Weekday 334 160 251 11 22 777 Saturday 149 91 0 0 0 240 Sunday 105 63 0 0 0 168 Annual 98,988 49,102 63,933 2,767 5,682 220,472 Revenue Miles Weekday 4,110 2,741 4,567 196 403 12,016 Saturday 1,717 1,521 0 0 0 3,238 Sunday 1,239 1,014 0 0 0 2,253 Annual 1,209,197 836,808 1,164,636 49,878 102,714 3,363,233 Change from Existing Peak Buses Ann. Platform Hrs. Ann. Revenue Miles 53 119,490 1,871,314 Page 20 Cedar Avenue Transitway Implementation Plan Update um Draft Technical Memorandum • Service Plan • June 2010�.o„o �„ CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 2010 - RESOLUTION ELECTING TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATING IN THE LOCAL HOUSING INCENTIVES ACCOUNT PROGRAM UNDER THE METROPOLITAN LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT CALENDAR YEARS 2011 THROUGH 2020 WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act (N innesota Statutes sections 473.25 to 473.255) establishes a Metropolitan Livable Communities Fund which is intended to address housing and other development issues facing the metropolitan area defined by Minnesota Statutes section 473.121; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Livable Communities Fund, comprising the Tax Base Revitalization Account, the Livable Communities Demonstration Account, the Local Housing Incentive Account and the Inclusionary Housing Account, is intended to provide certain funding and other assistance to metropolitan -area municipalities; and WHEREAS, a metropolitan -area municipality is not eligible to receive grants or loans under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Fund or eligible to receive certain polluted sites cleanup funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development unless the municipality is participating in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under Minnesota Statutes section 473.254; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act requires the Metropolitan Council to negotiate with each municipality to establish affordable and life -cycle housing goals for that municipality that are consistent with and promote the policies of the Metropolitan Council as provided in the adopted Metropolitan Development Guide; and WHEREAS, previously negotiated affordable and life -cycle housing goals for municipalities participating in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program expire in 2010; and WHEREAS, a metropolitan -area municipality can participate in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program under Minnesota Statutes section 473.254 if (a) the municipality elects to participate in the Local Housing Incentives Program; (b) the Metropolitan Council and the municipality successfully negotiate new affordable and life -cycle housing goals for the municipality; (c) the Metropolitan Council adopts by resolution the new negotiated affordable and life -cycle housing goals for the municipality; and (d) the municipality establishes it has spent or will spend or distribute to the Local Housing Incentives Account the required Affordable and Life -Cycle Housing Opportunities Amount (ALHOA) for each year the municipality participates in the Local Housing Incentives Account Program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Rosemount: 1. Elects to participate in the Local Housing Incentives Program under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act for calendar years 2011 through 2020. 2. Agrees to the following affordable and life -cycle housing goals for calendar years 2011 through 2020: Affordable Housing Goals Range I Life-Cycle Housing Goals Range 700 to 1,000 Affordable Housing Units 1 1,000 to 2,678 Life-Cycle Housing Units 3. Will prepare and submit to the Metropolitan Council a plan identifying the actions it plans to take to meet its established housing goals. ADOPTED this 4`h day of August, 2010, by the City Council of the City of Rosemount. William H. Droste, Mayor ATTEST: Amy Domeier, City Clerk CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2010 - A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2010 - 54 APPROVING THE LIQUOR LICENSE AMENDMENT OF THE ON -SALE CLASS B LIQUOR LICENSE FOR T iOMPSONS FIRESIDE PIZZA II, INC. DBA FIRESIDE LOCATED AT 3410 150TH STIIEET WEST TO ALLOW FOR OUTDOOR LIQUOR SERVICE IN THE TENT AREA (ADJACENT TO BUILDING) ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010 WHEREAS, Thompsons Fireside Pizza II, Inc. DBA Fireside submitted a request to amend its current On -Sale Liquor License Class B and Sunday Liquor License for Fireside located 3410 150th Street West; WHEREAS, the request was to extend the licensed premises for Fireside to include the sale of liquor in an outdoor tent area on the north side of the building on August 14, 2010; WHEREAS, an additional request was made to include a live music event in same tent on the north side of the building on August 14, 2010; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby approves the extension of hours to serve alcohol and allow live music from the previous request subject to the following conditions: 1) The licensee will begin the sale of alcohol and event of live music no earlier than five o'clock (5:00) p.m. and end no later than eleven o'clock (11:00) p.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2010; and 2) The licensee will clear the tent of all patrons and all parts of the outside service area of all patrons no later than eleven thirty o'clock (11:30) p.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2010. ADOPTED this 4th day August, 2010 by the City Council of the City of Rosemount. William H. Droste, Mayor ATTEST: Amy Domeier, City Clerk CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2010 - 54 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LIQUOR LICENSE AMENDMENT OF THE ON -SALE CLASS B LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THOMPSONS FIRESIDE PIZZA 11, INC. DBA FIRESIDE LOCATED AT 3410 150TH STREET WEST TO ALLOW FOR OUTDOOR LIQUOR SERVICE IN THE TENT AREA (ADJACENT TO BUILDING) ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010 V'HEREAS, Thompsons Fireside Pizza II, Inc. DBA Fireside submitted a request to amend its current On- Side Liquor License Class B and Sunday Liquor License for Fireside located at 3410 150th Street West; WHEREAS, the request was to extend the licensed premises for Fireside to include the sale of liquor in ol.rtdoor tent area on the north side of the building on August 14, 2010; V 1 HEREAS, an additional request was made to include a live music event in same tent on the north side of tl ie building on August 14, 2010; and T' HEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby approves the extension of licensed p :emises to include an outdoor tent at 3410 150,h Street West subject to the following conditions: 1) The licensee will begin the sale of alcohol and event of live music no earlier than five o'clock (5:00) p.m. and end no later than ten o'clock (10:100) p.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2010; 2) The licensee will clear the tent and all parts of the outside service area of all patrons no later ten - thirty o'clock (10:30) p.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2010; 3) Maintain the minimum of a twelve (12) foot wide emergency vehicle access through the Rosemount Market Square parking lot; 4) A building permit and an electrical permit are required. A detailed site and floor plan shall be provided with the application. The permits must be issued before inspection and occupancy of the tents; 5) Completion and final inspection of the rear stairs for The Pond by 4:30 p.m. Friday, August 13, 2010; and 6) Compliance with narrative, tent floor plan, and parking lot layout provided on July 14, 2010. ADOPTED this 20th day of July, 2010 by the City Council of City of Rosemount. William H. Droste, Mayor A7E T: 1 1 Amy Domeier, City Clerk