HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2008-27 - Requesting Southwest Transitway be Given High Priority - 02/12/2008 CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-27
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE SOUTHWEST TRANSITWAY BE GIVEN
HIGH PRIORITY IN THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL UPDATED 2030
TRANSPORTATION POLICY PLAN (TPP)
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is the region's designated metropolitan planning
organization(MPO) and is therefore responsible for preparing the region's
long-range plan for transportation, the Transportation Policy Plan (TPP); and
WHEREAS, the current TPP includes a goal of doubling transit ridership by 2030 through
improvements to the bus system and implementation of a system of transitways; and
WHEREAS, the current TPP identifies the Northstar, Cedar, I-35W, Bottineau, and Central
Transitways as Tier I for implementation by 2020 and the Southwest, Red Rock, and Rush Line
Transitways as Tier II for implementation between 2020 and 2030; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is currently updating the Transportation Policy Plan
(TPP) for adoption by December of 2008; and
WHEREAS, transitways intending to compete for Federal New Starts funding must be
identified in the region's long-range transportation plan, the TPP; and
WHEREAS, a significant partnership represented by the Southwest Policy Advisory Committee
has been formed over the past six years among public sector and private interests in the
Southwest Metro area led by the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority(HCRRA) and
including the cities of Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and
Minneapolis; the Metropolitan Council; Metro Transit and SouthWest Metro Transit, Three
Rivers Park District, and the Twin West, Minneapolis Regional, and Eden Prairie Chambers of
Commerce; and
WHEREAS,with direction and guidance from the Southwest Policy Advisory Committee, a
Feasibility Study was completed in 2003 that concluded that light rail is a feasible alternative to
serve the travel needs of this area given the projected growth in population and employment
projected for the Southwest part of the region, and in 2007, an Alternative Analysis (AA)
narrowed the range of viable alternatives to three possible light rail routes; and
WHEREAS, a Southwest Transitway is expected to serve nearly 30,000 trips per day,
significantly contribute to managing congestion in the fastest growth area of the region,provide
access to jobs and support economic development, provide a competitive travel choice, and offer
a cost-effective transportation option; and
WHEREAS, the Southwest Transitway is expected to be a competitive candidate for Federal
New Starts funding.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Eden Prairie City Council respectfully
requests that the Metropolitan Council identify the Southwest Transitway in the updated 2030
Transportation Policy Plan as the next LRT line for implementation after the Central Corridor
LRT line; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Eden Prairie City Council requests that the updated
2030 Transportation Policy Plan reflect that the Southwest Transitway is planned to be
operational no later than 2015.
ADOPTED by the Eden Prairie City Council this 12th day of February, 2008.
Phil k '
Young, ayor
ATTEST:
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Ka4leen Porta, City Clerk