Laserfiche WebLink
Q MetroTransit <br />Interim Rice Street and Little Canada Transit Hub <br />Metro Transit is in the process of implementing the recommendations of a study referred <br />to as the Sectors 1 and 2 Restructuring Study. Part of this study shifts the focus of <br />current bus routes to provide better suburb to suburb service. To accomplish this, there is <br />a need for a transit facility to be located along Rice Street in Little Canada. Currently, <br />the proposed site for the permanent facility is the Ramsey County Public Works Facility <br />located at Rice Street and I -694. This is in consideration of Ramsey County's plan to <br />move its facility to the Arden Hills Arsenal Site in about 2004. <br />Metro Transit is committed to making these route changes by March of 2001. In order to <br />accomplish this in a timely manner, an interim transit hub able to accommodate six buses <br />will be necessary at a different location. <br />Metro Transit, in talking with the owners of Market Place Center and city staff, <br />recommends locating this interim hub along First Bank Road between Middle Street and <br />Market Place Drive. Larson Engineering has been retained to evaluate the layout of an <br />interim hub and to provide a concept drawing. This drawing shows Metro Transit's <br />proposal for this hub. Improvements for this facility include the installation of two bus <br />shelters, installation of sidewalk along the southern portion of First Bank Road, and the <br />closing of two entrances at Market Place Center along the north side of First Bank Road. <br />Street lighting matching the type being installed along Little Canada Road will be used to <br />illuminate this hub. <br />The following schedule for construction of this facility is being proposed: <br />Completion of Construction Plans and Specs 6/30/00 <br />Bid Opening 7/27/00 <br />Notice to Proceed to Contractor 8/7/00 <br />Substantial Completion of Facility 10/31/00 <br />Final Contract Closeout 3/31/01 <br />Metro Transit is aware that there will be construction occurring on Little Canada Road in <br />2000 and possibly on Middle Street and Market Place Drive in 2001. The goal is to work <br />with the city of Little Canada to minimize the impact this construction will have on these <br />bus routes, as well as the impact construction of the hub will have on traffic in this area. <br />Included with the concept drawing are pictures of a hub very similar to the one Metro <br />Transit is proposing. This hub is located along Xerxes Avenue North at the Brookdale <br />Shopping Mall in Brooklyn Center. <br />Page 46 <br />