4.3. SR 07-19-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Currently, these areas are highly congested during peak hours causing significant delays in travel . time. Much of the identified roadway is conducive to the addition of shoulder lanes; however, TH 10 in downtown Elk River may require further study due to limited right-of-way for extending the shoulder. Park-and-Ride Lot Enhancements Park-and-ride facilities located along the corridor would serve as mini transit hubs enabling buses to safely pick up and drop off passengers. Passengers would benefit from amenities at these facilities such as heated shelter, restrooms, public telephones, etc. Existing park-and-ride facilities currently served by transit services in the corridor include the Foley Park-and-Ride lot. Construction to add a ramp for additional parking is currently underway and additional express service is planned for the facility. Traffic Signal Preemption Traffic signal preemption is a technology that can help buses maintain schedules and improve route speeds. An emitter is located on the vehicle and when activated sends a signal to extend a green light or change a red light to green as the late bus nears the intersection. Along the TH 10 corridor, this type of technology would complement the bus-only shoulder lanes resulting in fewer traffic delays. Traffic signal preemption would be utilized at all intersections along roadway segments identified for bus-only shoulder lane implementation. . Flyover ramps (a ramp directly connecting a highway with a park-and-ride facility that allows a bus to bypass an intersection) were considered as a possibility for improving safety near park- and-ride lots particularly in Elk River. Flyover ramps were not included as part of the alternatives due to cost and recommendation of signal preemption. Additional signal improvements may be necessary at various intersections along the corridor depending on travel direction and crossing traffic on TH 10. Transit Hubsrrransit Centers Transit hubs and park-and-ride lots would essentially be designed as one facility. Passengers would have the choice of driving to the facility and leaving their vehicle at the park-and-ride lot, or getting to the facility by way of feeder bus service, to catch express routes to Minneapolis or to St. Cloud/Rice for reverse commute trips. Each facility would be designed to accommodate express/local transit vehicles in terms of size and ingress/egress needs at each location. Transit Centers typically offer informational services, sell bus passes and provide other customer service functions. Facilities of this type would be implemented in highly populated areas with heavy transit usage such as downtown Minneapolis and the Foley Park-and-Ride in Coon Rapids. . Phase II Northstar Corridor Major Investment Study Draft - TSM Alternative 6 June 24, 1999