HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2019-159
C ITY OF P LYMOUTH
R ESOLUTION N O. 2019-159
R ESOLUTION A DVOCATING FOR A H WY 55 M OBILITY S TUDY AND F URTHER S TUDY FOR H WY 55 B US
R APID T RANSIT
WHEREAS, the City of Plymouth operates Plymouth Metrolink bus service and works in
cooperation with the regional transit provider, Metro Transit; and
WHEREAS, the City of Plymouth recognizes the importance of providing public transportation in
the region to support personal mobility, quality of life, and economic vitality, as reflected in the projects
and policies in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS the City of Plymouth recognizes that demographics and trends that drive transit
demand are changing, including acknowledging that the percentage of people aged 16-44 that hold a
driver’s license has decrease from 92% in 1983 to 77% in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Plymouth has the fourth largest economy in the State of Minnesota, greatly values
our business community, and recognizes that that business location factors include access to greater
transportation options, and
WHEREAS, Plymouth businesses have cited workforce attraction as a major concern and need
now and in the future;
WHEREAS, Bus Rapid Transit provides all-day service in a designated corridor with specific
supporting infrastructure designed to improve passenger experience and reduce trip length; and
WHEREAS, Hwy 55 from Medina to Minneapolis through Plymouth was identified as a possible
BRT corridor and studied in the 2014 Highway Transitway Corridor Study by the Metropolitan Council;
and
WHEREAS, the study identified high potential for the route, including forecasting 8,300 riders
per day by 2030; and
WHEREAS, corridor modifications would be required to increase ridership, decrease trip times,
and lower capital and operating costs; and
WHEREAS, a Hwy 55 Mobility Study is required to conduct further analysis and obtain
information on engineering and infrastructure needs in order to better understand the viability of Bus
Rapid Transit on Hwy 55; and
WHEREAS, the city is interested in exploring opportunities to apply for grant funding to
demonstrate proof of concept or pilot project routes along Hwy 55.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH,
MINNESOTA that the City of Plymouth supports efforts to complete a Hwy 55 Mobility Study in
conjunction with partners at Hennepin County, State of Minnesota, and the Metropolitan Council.
APPROVED by the City Council on this 28th day of May, 2019.