2018-012 Supporting Bus Rapid Transit and MNPASS Express Lanes on US Highway 169MIL
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO.2018-012
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING
BUS RAPID TRANSIT AND MNPASS EXPRESS LANES ON US HIGHWAY 169
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 Hopkins 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; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Hopkins recommends support of future BRT service on
Highway 169 connecting to downtown Minneapolis via Alternative 2 and MnPASS Lane additions on
Highway 169 including future planning studies and infrastructure or transit investment to enable and
support implementation.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Hopkins requests the Metropolitan Council and
MnDOT incorporate, prioritize, and consider these MnPASS and BRT improvements in plans, programs
and projects.
Approved this 5th day of February,2018,by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota.
CITY OF HOPKINS, MINNESOTA
v L,%6/
Molly Cummings, Mayor
Attest:
/ --CUA
Amy Domeier,City Clerk