The Metropolitan Council approved a $26 million contract Feb. 10 to construct the D Line Bus Rapid Transit project, which will connect the Mall of America Transit Center with the Brooklyn Center Transit Center, effectively replacing one of Metro Transit’s highest ridership bus routes.
Set for construction in the popular 18-mile Route 5 corridor, the project will bring 40 bus rapid transit stations to 30 intersections in Bloomington, Richfield, Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center. Knowing the scope of the project, some councilmembers made their eagerness clear.
“We’ve got one more (agenda item) from the transportation committee, and it might be my favorite one,” Met Councilmember Deb Barber said before the D Line item was introduced.
“I would say I share in Councilmember Barber’s excitement,” said Met Council Chair Charles Zelle.
The new line will add to the existing C Line, connecting Minneapolis with Brooklyn Center, as well as the A Line, which connects stations on the Blue Line LRT and the Green Line LRT with the Rosedale Transit Center.
The D Line will travel from the Mall of America westbound on American Boulevard to Portland Avenue, then head north on Portland and Chicago Avenues to connect with downtown Minneapolis. From there, it heads north by way of Fremont and Emerson Avenues, eventually terminating at the Brooklyn Center Transit Center at 2900 County Rd. 10.
With a bus rapid transit system, Metro Transit aims for faster, more efficient service compared to a traditional bus system.
Similar to the existing light rail lines, buses stop only at stations rather than each block. Fares are collected at station kiosks before riders enter a bus. Metro Transit Police Patrols check that riders have paid their fares instead of bus drivers.
Rather than enter the bus at-grade, riders enter from a raised curb platform, speeding up the entrance and exit process.
Buses will also communicate with traffic signals to reduce the time spent at red lights.
The construction contract was awarded to Thomas and Sons Construction Inc. for an amount not to exceed $26.1 million.
Construction is expected to occur between 2021 and 2022.
Also in contrast with standard bus stops, BRT stations offer shelters, lighting, real-time updates, security cameras and emergency telephones.
Follow Kevin Miller on Facebook at facebook.com/mnsunpost
Post a comment as
Report
Watch this discussion.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.