Southwest light rail could qualify for federal assistance
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 11:59 am
- 2 Comments
The Hiawatha Light Rail Line, Minneapolis
A light rail service from downtown Minneapolis to Eden Prairie passed an important test on Monday: cost and ridership estimates show that parts of the project falls within the parameters to receive federal assistance. Only one proposed route of the Southwest Transitway would qualify for federal funding — between Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles. Another proposed route through the Uptown neighborhood appears to be too expensive.
The cost-effectiveness index (CEI) for the project is $30 which is just above the federal assistance guideline of $29, according to a report by HDR Engineering, Inc. An uptown route would have a CEI of $44.
The report expects a ridership of 28,000 to 30,000 people each day.
The Southwest Transitway, scheduled for completion in 2015, would link with the existing Hiawatha light rail, as well as the soon to be completed Northstar commuter and Central Corridor light rail lines. Another possible light rail line is being proposed for the north side of Minneapolis into Maple Grove called the Bottineau Transitway.
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Comment posted August 19, 2009 @ 9:52 am
Of course it’s too expensive Minneapolis. If you’re going to do it, do it right!
Rail systems should start, pick-up, and stop where people live, work and play. The Uptown route would fit those requirements. It should also be fast and efficient. Spend the money – do it right!
The Hiawatha Rail should have been an elevated rail for most of the route – for speed and efficiency.
I bike the mid-town greenway nearly everyday to work, shop and play. If they could somehow integrate the system there, without disrupting the bike trails. That would be ideal.
Somebody in public transportation needs to watch the film “Death of the Suburbs”
-Troy
Comment posted August 20, 2009 @ 8:12 am
How can anyone seriously believe ridership projections that show no additional riders when the alternative route goes through Uptown and then through densely populated portions of south Minneapolis? The fix is clearly in. County officials don’t want their genteel suburban riders rubbing elbows with city dwellers. So, the City of Minneapolis looses one of the country’s great urban parks (Cedar Lake/Kenilworth) to serve suburban interests.
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