HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2018-26 - Support Mobility Improvements along 169 - 01/16/2018 CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-26
SUPPORTING MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS ALONG HIGHWAY 169 CONNECTING
TO DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT),the Metropolitan Council,
and Scott County funded and participated in the US Highway 169 Mobility Study, in partnership
with cities and counties along the corridor, to evaluate the potential for MnPASS Express Lanes
in the southwest metro area on Highway 169, and Bus Rapid Transit(BRT) in the same corridor
from the city of Shakopee north to corridors connecting to downtown Minneapolis; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the project, as established through the study process, is to increase
access to jobs and destinations, provide transportation choices, and improve safety and travel
time for Highway 169 travelers; and
WHEREAS, two (2) BRT alternatives were identified and studied: US 169 from Marschall
Road north to Betty Crocker Drive (segment common to both alternatives) and east to downtown
Minneapolis via I-394 (Alternative 1) or via Highway 55 (Alternative 2); and
WHEREAS, both BRT alternatives provide connections to existing bus routes and light rail as
well as the planned transitway system with connections to the future METRO Green Line light
rail extension and the potential future American Boulevard Arterial BRT, thereby enhancing the
system available to potential riders of the BRT; and
WHEREAS, the evaluation of BRT alternatives shows strategic differences between the two
alternatives: Alternative 1 serves a higher number of jobs along the corridor and has higher total
projected ridership, Alternative 2 serves a higher number of people living along the corridor,has
higher projected transit-dependent and reverse-commute ridership, and connects to the future
METRO Blue Line light rail extension; and
WHEREAS, six(6) project goals for evaluation of alternatives were established through the
study process and both BRT alternatives similarly satisfy each of the project goals: Improve
Access, Provide Improved Mobility, Attract Ridership, Provide a High Return on Investment,
Prioritize Service to Transit-Supportive Development Areas, and Preserve the Environment; and
WHEREAS, the project evaluation also shows that the addition of MnPASS lanes on Highway
169 between Marschall Road and Highway 55 is feasible and would satisfy the project goals by
improving access to jobs and destinations, improving mobility by reducing and better managing
congestion, providing a transit advantage for express bus service and in some areas BRT service,
providing a high long-term return on investment, and preserving the environment; and
WHEREAS, staff and elected officials from the City of Eden Prairie have thoughtfully
participated in the Highway 169 Mobility Study; and
WHEREAS, it is understood that the current financial constraints of the region for highway and
transit expansion projects beyond what are already assumed to be funded in the Transportation
Policy Plan are challenging, but should additional funding become available, this project should
be given due consideration for advancement in part or total.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Eden Prairie City Council as follows:
1. The Eden Prairie City Council supports future BRT service on Highway 169 connecting
to downtown Minneapolis and MnPASS Lane additions on Highway 169 including future
planning studies and infrastructure or transit investment to enable and support
implementation.
2. The Eden Prairie City Council requests the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT
incorporate, prioritize, and consider these MnPASS and BRT improvements in plans,
programs and projects.
3. The Eden Prairie City Council does not support operation by the Metropolitan Council of
connector bus service within the SouthWest Transit service area to the Highway 169
BRT Corridor without the consent of SouthWest Transit.
ADOPTED by the Eden Prairie City Council on January 2, 2018.
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ATTEST: SEAL
Kat een Porta, City Clerk