HomeMy WebLinkAboutitem 4 Orange Line extension studyLakeville City Council
January 27, 2020
METRO Orange Line Phase 1
•BRT between Minneapolis and Burnsville
•12 transit station pairs
•Amenities similar to LRT
•All-day, reliable, frequent service on I-35W
•Service begins December 2021
The Extension (OLX)
Two or More Additional Stations
South of Burnsville Parkway
•Burnsville Center Station Area
•Kenrick Park -and-Ride
•Considered additional stations near
Crystal Lake Rd. and CSAHs 50, 60, 70
Study Management
•Oversight by Project Management Team
and Technical Advisory Committee
•Burnsville and Lakeville
•Metro Transit and MVTA
•Dakota County, Met Council, MnDOT
Study Components
•Public involvement
•Evaluate locations for stations
•Identify routing and operations needs
•Capital and operations needs
•Ridership analysis
•Consideration of future conditions
Public Involvement
•Targeted meetings
•One-on-one with stakeholders
•Info table at local events
•Online
•Project website
•Social media
•Open Houses
•October 2017
•November 2019
Burnsville Central Station
•Multiple Needs to address
•Access
•Routing and operations
•Potential changes to area
•Expected service demand
•Recommend station on north or
west side
•Several concepts developed to
accommodate future changes
Burnsville Central Station Concepts
Lakeville Kenrick Station
•Access
•Siting BRT facilities
•Capacity
•Expected service demand
Routing
•Preference to operate on I-
35/I35W to the greatest extent
possible
•Leave options open to establish
station near CSAH 50 & 175th St.
•1-2 additional buses to extend to
Burnsville Central Station
•4-5 additional buses to extend to
Kenrick Park and Ride
Estimation Purpose and Process
•Understand whether ridership at Burnsville Central Station and Kenrick
Park and Ride is near regional standards for transitways
•Developed model with Metropolitan Council guidance
•Estimated for 2020, 2040, and 2040 scenario with redevelopment
Ridership
2020 2040 2040 (redevelopment)
Burnsville Central Station 220-240 270-290 490-510
Kenrick Park & Ride 220-240 260-280 320-340
Passengers per in-service hour for 2020
•9 for extension to Burnsville Central station
•6 for extension to Kenrick Park & Ride
Separate process used for estimating ridership at CSAH 50, 60 and 70
•CSAH 50 station may be feasible due to low additional operating expense
•Insufficient demand for CSAH 60 & 70 stations
Ridership
Regional Standards
•Station boardings: 200 or more
•Passengers/service hour, entire line: 25 or more
Considerations
•Focus on performance of entire line, or the increment?
•Kenrick ridership almost entirely to downtown –is BRT the answer?
•Uncertainty with ridership estimation process
Ridership
•Extension of Orange Line to Burnsville Central Station with Conditions
•Public and private commitments toward redevelopment of Burnsville Center
Mall area
•Understanding of Orange Line ridership and usage following opening of Phase
1 in 2021
•Kenrick Park & Ride not recommended for service in near or mid term
Draft Recommendation
Study Conclusion and Next Steps
2019
•Finalize Study Documentation
2020
•Seek local resolutions of support
•Seek amendment of regional Transportation Policy Plan
2020-2023
•Monitor progress of redevelopment near Burnsville Center
•Evaluate performance of Orange Line following service launch
Thank You
Joe Morneau
952-891-7986
joe.morneau@co.dakota.mn.us
Executive Summary
2019
1 December 2019
Project Management Structure
The OLX Study was commissioned and funded by Dakota
County Regional Railroad Authority (DCRRA). Project
committees included the Technical Advisory Committee
(TAC) and Project Management Team (PMT). The TAC and
PMT met regularly to discuss study progress and provide
guidance on technical issues. The project team used
these opportunities to further communicate with project
stakeholders, both to share information and gather input.
The project management and organizational structure is
illustrated in Figure 2. The Project Management Plan is
detailed in Appendix A: Project Management Plan.
BLOOMINGTON
BURNSVILLE
RICHFIELD
MINNEAPOLIS
BurnsvilleHeart of
the City
I-35W & Burnsville Pkwy
I-35W &98th St
Knox Ave &American
Knox Ave &76th St
I-35W &66th St
I-35W & 46th St
I-35W & Lake
11th St
7th St
3rd St
5th St
DOWNTOWN
MINNEAPOLIS
35W
35W
35W
94
94
494
HWY62
HWY13
Figure 1: Phase 1 (above) aligment of Orange Line
BRT; Phase 2 (below) areas studied for potential
stations and extension of Orange Line BRT
Figure 2: Project Management & Organizational Structure
PHASE 2
PHASE 1
Project Management
Team
I-35W Solutions
Alliance
Public and Key
Stakeholders
DCRRA
Metropolitan Council
TAC
Staff
Executive Summary Overview
The METRO Orange Line is a planned bus rapid transit (BRT) line that
runs from downtown Minneapolis to Burnsville. The 17-mile highway route
will utilize managed and MnPass travel lanes, and feature frequent, all-day
service, and enhanced station amenities. Phase 1 of service is scheduled
to be operational in late 2021.
The Phase 2 METRO Orange Line Extension (OLX) Study analyzed the
implications of extending METRO Orange Line service south to the
Kenrick Park & Ride in Lakeville, an extension that adds two or more
stations and approximately five miles to the initial line (Figure 1). The
OLX Study included a robust public involvement and communication
process and an in-depth technical analysis. These efforts informed the
the recommendation to develop an Orange Line transitway extension to
Burnvsville Center Village. This extension should occur at the same time
as public and private redevelopment activities in the area and based on
the performance of Phase I and connecting local bus services, which are
anticipated to start in late 2021.
2 December 2019
Supporting Appendices
The information summarized in this Executive
Summary is found in greater detail in seven
supporting technical memorandums, included as
appendices (see right).
Public Involvement & Communication
The OLX Study involved outreach and coordination
with the public, businesses, civic organizations, and
others interested in the project. A detailed decision-
making process, communication strategy, and potential
stakeholder list was created at the onset of the project,
found in Appendix B: Public Involvement Plan.
Public Communications
The following methods and materials were used
to maintain communication with stakeholders
throughout the project:
»Project website
»Contact database
»Email updates
»In-person engagement (via open houses, pop-
up events, and targeted meetings)
Open Houses
Two rounds of open houses were held to engage
stakeholders throughout the process, encourage
continued involvement, and to share Study results.
At open houses in round one, attendees were
asked about the destinations they desire to access
with transit and their preferences regarding station
locations. The goal of the second round of open
houses was to share the Study findings and to gather
public comments on the initial recommendations.
Supporting Appendices:
Study Overview ............................................1
Appendix A: Project Management Plan
Public Involvement and Communication ........2
Appendix B: Public Involvement Plan
Related Projects ..........................................4
Appendix C: Orange Line Phase 1
Definition and Review of Related Projects
Ridership Estimation ....................................4
Appendix D: Ridership Estimation
Memorandum
Station Analysis ...........................................6
Appendix E: Station Analysis Memorandum
Service Planning .........................................7
Appendix F: Service Planning Memorandum
Capital and Operating Costs Estimation .........8
Appendix G: Cost Estimation Memorandum
Recommendations and Next Steps ................9
Figure 4: Orange Line Extension Website
POP-UPS (1)
OPEN HOUSES - ROUND 2 (1)
PRESENTATIONS (3)
Figure 3: Public Engagement Timeline
ONGOING: Online Engagement
POP-UPS (7)
OPEN HOUSES - ROUND 1 (2)
PRESENTATIONS (5)
TARGETED MEETINGS (3)
2017 2019
3 December 2019
Pop-Up Events
The Study team used eight pop-up events to collect input
and educate community members in a spontaneous and
casual context. Unannounced and at high-activity centers,
these events enabled the team to interface with community
members who may be unaware of the project or unable or
unwilling to attend a traditional public meeting.
Targeted Meetings & Focus Groups
Three targeted stakeholder meetings were held to
discuss specific issues and alternatives in one-on-one or
small groups of stakeholders.
Online Engagement
A project website was developed to share updates,
solicit input, and let the public know of ways they could
participate in the project (https://www.orangelineextension.
com/). People were directed to the website through social
media posts, business cards, transit station posters and
bus flyers. Website features included:
»A place to provide feedback about the project
»An overview of the OLX Study
»A library of project resources, including the
latest open house display boards, the Review of
Related Projects Memorandum, and the Public
Involvement Plan (PIP)
»An overview of BRT and the METRO Orange
Line (Phase 1)
»A section for event announcements such as
upcoming open houses
The website also featured an interactive online
mapping tool allowing users to provide feedback
on station locations, opportunities, and constraints
(Figure 6).
What We Heard
💬At Burnsville Center area, people prefer a station north or west of the Mall
💬There is strong support for a station at Kenrick Park & Ride
💬There is desire for express bus service south of Kenrick Park & Ride
Figure 6: Input collected through
interactive mapping activities indicates
areas of concentrated preference
Response received via:
Online
Open House
Pop-up
Figure 5: Burnsville Fire Muster Pop-Up
4 December 2019
Related Projects
The project team reviewed past studies, existing transit
conditions and characteristics of Orange Line Phase
1 to form a basis for the work conducted in the OLX
Study. Findings from relevant past work and related
projects can be found in Appendix C: Orange Line Phase
One Definition and Review of Related Projects.
Findings from this review are broad and wide-ranging,
depending on the specific project. Past work has
substantiated the potential for improved north-
south transit service in the southeast Twin Cities
metropolitan area.
Ridership Estimation
Ridership demand estimates were forecasted in two
separate phases in 2017 and 2019. Summaries of
these two separate processes are shown in Figure
8. Details of the analysis and results are included as
Appendix D: Ridership Estimation Memorandum.
Purpose: Understand transit demand
south of Kenrick Park & Ride
Methodology: Expand on an existing
model (from the 2015 Cedar Avenue
Transitway Implementation Plan Update)
Finding: Low ridership demand south of
Kenrick Park & Ride
Outcome: Further analysis to focus on
transit service at/north of Kenrick
Park & Ride
Purpose: Look at current and future transit
demand at Burnsville Central station and
Lakeville Stations area
Methodology: Adapt an existing model
(from Gold Line BRT project) with updated
land use & regional transit service data
Finding: Ridership demand at Burnsville
Central Station supportive of BRT
Outcome: Develop recommendation for a
Burnsville Central station area station
Figure 8: OLX Study Ridership Estimation Process
Figure 7: Burnsville Central Station Area Existing
Local Bus Routes
2017 2019
5 December 2019
Ridership Analysis
2017
»Ridership demand south of the Kenrick Park & Ride exists
but is relatively small compared to Phase 1 ridership
projections and OLX projections.
»Ridership south of the Kenrick Park & Ride comes
from auto-access, and thus riders may be able to be
accommodated without the extension beyond the Kenrick
Park & Ride.
»Downtown Minneapolis work trips was the desired
destination for nearly all potential riders south of Kenrick
Park & Ride, suggesting express service should be
considered first.
2019
»An Orange Line extension to Burnsville Center would add
approximately 220 riders in 2020 and 250 in 2040
»An extension to Lakeville (including a stop at Burnsville
Central) would add approximately 370 riders in 2020 and
450 riders in 2040 (Table 1).
»Riders boarding the Orange Line at Burnsville Central
Station primarily accessed the station by walking to it;
riders at the Lakeville Stations primarily drove and parked
their car before boarding the Orange Line (Figure 9)
»The key destinations for riders boarding at Burnsville
Central Station were downtown Minneapolis and 98th St
and 35W – indicating a mix of long and short trips
»The key destinations for riders boarding at a Lakeville
Station were downtown Minneapolis and 35W and Lake
Street – indicating primarily long, commuting trips
End of Line Location Burnsville Heart
of the City
Travelers Trail &
Burnsville Parkway
Burnsville Central
Station
Lakeville
Station(s)
2020 Burnsville Central Station 500 100 220 N/A
2040 Burnsville Central Station 550 100 250 N/A
2020 Lakeville Station(s) 400 100 220 250
2040 Lakeville Station(s) 450 100 250 300
Table 1: OLX Estimated Ridership (2020 & 2040)
Figure 9: OLX 2040 Boardings by Access Mode
Lakeville Stations(s)
52%
73%
9%
18%
31%
17%
Burnsville Central Station
Access Mode:
Passenger Pick-up/Drop-off
Walk Up
Park and Ride
Transfer
6 December 2019
Station Analysis
This station analysis looked at potential OLX station
location and concepts using two different methodologies,
summarized in Figure 11. A detailed analysis was
prepared in 2017 for those stations that would be located
in the existing roadway network. In 2019, planning-
level analysis was used for those stations that would be
constructed in a future roadway network. Further details
are included in Appendix E: Station Analysis Memorandum.
Key Findings
Burnsville Central Station
»A station north or west of Burnsville Center Mall would
have the largest walkshed, easy connection with local bus
service, and conveniently located to both commercial and
residential land uses.
»A station would require one half- to one acre of space to
accommodate pedestrian and bicyclist amenities, local
bus service, and passenger pick-up and drop-off areas
(Figure 10).
Lakeville Station(s)
»A Lakeville location located east of I-35, near the Kenrick
Park & Ride would have the most residents and jobs
within a half-mile.
Purpose: Evaluate potential station locations at
Bursville Central, Burnsville South, and Lakeville areas
Methodology: Looked at demographic and
accessibility factors within the existing roadway
network
Finding: Analysis of operations and accessibility
recommend a station location on the north or west
side of the mall
Outcome: Defined a set of OLX alignment and
station location alternatives for further evaluation
Purpose: Evaluate Burnsville Central Station space
needs, cost estimates, and other design considerations
Methodology: Developed two, concept designs to be
incorporated into future redevelopment in the Burnsville
Center Village area
Finding: Inline and offline station concepts adequate for
meeting pedestrian and local bus needs
Outcome: Detailed design and placement of a Burnsville
Center Village station should occur at a later stage and
depend on future public and private development decisions
2017 2019
Figure 11: OLX Station Study Analysis Process
Figure 10: Burnsville Central Station Layout Concepts
Option 1
Option 2
7 December 2019
Service Planning
Service planning details and definitions were developed
for two potential OLX end of line locations (Burnsville
Central and Kenrick Park & Ride areas) using a range
of alignment and stop combinations, for a total of four
alternatives. The following inputs were used:
»Travel speeds
»Travel times
»Service frequency
»Service schedule (weekday hours)
Travel times and bus requirements for each
alternative are summarized in Table 2 and in greater
detail in Appendix F. Service Planning Memorandum.
Route Alignment Alternatives
One Way Peak-
Period Running
Time (min)
Schedule Cycle
Time (min)
Additional
Required Buses
for Extension
Route Alternative 1: Burnsville Heart of the City
to Burnsville Central Station
11 120 2
Route Alternative 2: Burnsville Heart of the City
to Kenrick Park & Ride via CSAH 46
21 140 4
Route Alternative 3: Burnsville Heart of the City
to Kenrick Park & Ride via I-35W
19 130 3-4
Route Alternative 4: Burnsville Heart of the City
to Kenrick Park & Ride via a stop on CSAH 50
24 150 5
Table 2: Peak Hour Travel Time and Cycle Times for 10-Minute Orange Line Frequency
Figure 12: Service Planning Route Alternatives
8 December 2019
Capital and Operating Costs
Planning-level capital and operating costs were developed
for the OLX. Capital costs were developed by station
area, type, and – for Burnsville Central Station area – by
transportation network (Table 3). Since road layouts and
land uses in the Burnsville Center Village could look very
different than they do today, two offline station layouts
were developed and analyzed for cost to construct.
Operating and maintenance (O&M) costs were developed
for the four alignment alternatives analyzed for service
planning. Unit costs are from Metro Transit’s BRT Office
and are consistent with the cost drivers that were used
for the METRO Orange Line Phase 1. Total capital costs
by station area and total O&M costs by alignment are
shown in Tables 4-5. Detailed costs and methodology are
included in Appendix G: Cost Estimation Memorandum.
Station Area Transportation Network Type
Burnsville Central
Station Area
Existing Network Offline Station
Existing Network Inline Station
Burnsville Center Village Network Offline Option 1 (0.5 acre)
Burnsville Center Village Network Offline Option 2 (1 acre)
Kenrick Park & Ride
Station Area
Existing Network Offline Station
Existing Network Inline Station
Table 3: Station Areas and Types Analyzed for Capital Cost
Table 4: Capital Costs for Burnsville Central Station Area and Kenrick Park & Ride Station Area (2019$)
*Costs will vary based on transportation network and station layout
Table 5: Annual (Weekday and Weekend) O&M Costs by Alignment (2019$)
Figure 13: Buckhill Road Existing Conditions
Burnsville Central Station Area Kenrick Park & Ride Station Area
Inline Station Online Station Offline Station Inline Station Offline Station
Total Capital Costs $6,300,000 $25,470,000 $4,880,000 -
$6,470,000*
$6,600,000 $9,300,000
Route
Alternative 1
Route
Alternative 2
Route
Alternative 3
Route
Alternative 4
Annual Weekday & Weekend O&M Cost $1,300,000 $2,610,000 $2,650,000 $3,240,000
9 December 2019
Study Recommendations
Recommendations were developed based on public
and stakeholder feedback and technical analysis.
👍Develop an Orange Line transitway extension
(generally Alignment Alternative 1) with an
accompanying station at Burnsville Center
Village (generally Offline Option 1 or Option 2)
👍Integrate the station in and supportive of the
Burnsville Center Village area as public and
private redevelopment occurs.
👍Base the timing of OLX on:
• the performance of the Orange Line and
connecting local bus services, anticipated
in late 2021 and
• commitments and/or progress towards
redevelopment at Burnsville Center.
👍Monitor land uses, development densities, and
transit demand over time to assess the feasibility of
additional stations south of Burnsville Center Village.
Next Steps
At the conclusion of this study, the next actions to
implementing OLX are shown in Figure 15.
LATE 2019:
FINALIZE AND PUBLISH
METRO ORANGE LINE EXTENSION
STUDY RESULTS
SPRING 2020:
DAKOTA COUNTY REGIONAL RAIL
AUTHORITY AND METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ADOPT RECOMMENDATION
AND REQUEST THAT METROPOLITAN
COUNCIL UPDATE ITS TRANSPORTATION
POLICY PLAN
LATE 2021-SUMMER 2023:
START UP AND MONITOR ORANGE LINE
PHASE 1 OPERATIONS, INCLUDING CONNECTING LOCAL BUS
WORK WITH BURNSVILLE AND TRANSIT OPERATORS TO PREPARE STATION DESIGN
AND SERVICE EXTENSION PLAN
2020-2023
MONITOR BURNSVILLE CENTER
VILLAGE REDEVELOPMENT
WINTER 2020:
SEEK LOCAL RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT
FALL 2020:
TRANSPORTATION POLICY PLAN UPDATE
Figure 15: Future Phases/Action Plan
Figure 14: Where Would You Like to See a
Station in Burnsville?