Governor says Yes to Transit as Ridership Hits Record Levels

Saint Paul, MN (January 18, 2012)—Transit advocates celebrated Governor Mark Dayton’s inclusion of transit projects in his list of bonding priorities, including $25 million for the Southwest Light Rail Transit line and $10 million for transit facilities in Duluth, Mankato, and Saint Cloud. His support comes as demand for transit is reaching record levels.

 

Metro Transit reported Tuesday that 2011 ridership exceeded 80 million for only the second time in the last 30 years. Coupled with complimentary service provided by suburban transit providers and Metro Mobility, total ridership jumped to 94 million in 2011, according to the Metropolitan Council.

 

“The Governor has his priorities in sync with demand and future trends. We look to the legislature to follow suit. These transit bonding projects will make Minnesota’s transportation system more affordable and more effective,” said Barb Thoman, executive director of Transit for Livable Communities, a non-partisan organization with more than 10,000 members. “Southwest LRT is the next major link in the transit network and state bonding support enables the Twin Cities to compete with peer regions, such as Denver, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Seattle, for federal matching funding.”

 

Recently moved up to the “preliminary engineering” phase by the Federal Transit Administration, the SW LRT becomes one in 12 systems in the U.S. poised to receive a full-funding grant agreement. This will mean that $1 in state funds will leverage an additional $9 in funds from other levels of government, including county and federal. The largest portion of capital costs (50%) will be borne by the federal government.

 

The Southwest LRT will connect Eden Prairie to Minneapolis and, via linkages to the Central Corridor and Hiawatha lines, connect the region’s top job centers: downtown Minneapolis, downtown Saint Paul, the University of Minnesota, Bloomington and the Mall of America, and Opus/Golden Triangle.

 

“Demand for transit is rising, but only 15% of jobs and 25% of households are readily served by moderate frequency transit. For individuals to make ends meet and our region to thrive, we need to fund more access to transit, including bus, rail, and bus rapid transit.” said Thoman.

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Twin Cities in top 15 for Pedestrian Safety--but still too many intersections without crosswalks

 

A program of Transit for Livable Communities

For Immediate Release: May 24, 2011
Contact: Hilary Reeves, 651-789-1415, cell:  612-554-1795, hilaryr@tlcminnesota.org

 

• 12% of all traffic deaths are people walking
• 1.5% of federal funding is for projects making walking safer
• 17%  increase in walking in the Twin Cities, 2007-2010

(Saint Paul, Minn)--Walking is the first and most basic form of transportation. Nearly everyone is a pedestrian at some point each day, even if it is simply walking from home to the bus stop or from the car to the office. Walking is on the rise in the Twin Cities, increasing 17% between 2007-2010, according to data from Bike Walk Twin Cities, a program of Transit for Livable Communities.

While Minnesota ranks better than many states in the likelihood of pedestrian fatalities, there are glaring exceptions, according to the 2011 report, Dangerous by Design: Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths (and Making Great Neighborhoods), released today by Transportation for America. The report also includes an interactive map that allows searching for pedestrian deaths near any town in the US.

Between 2000-2009, 415 pedestrians were killed in Minnesota . While Minnesota is doing better than most states, ranking 39th of 50 in terms of pedestrian risk, crashes and fatalities are much higher for the elderly, children, and people of color—and at intersections without crosswalks or other features that make roads safe for all users.

Pedestrian Fatality Rates

• Older Americans 50% more likely than those younger than 65
• Hispanics 71% higher rate of fatalities than non-Hispanic whites
• African Americans 127% higher rate of fatalities than non-Hispanic whites
• For children 15 or younger, pedestrian injury 3rd leading cause of death by unintentional injury

Last November, a 38 year old woman was killed crossing Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis at an intersection that did not have a crosswalk. Nationally, only 10% of pedestrian fatalities occurred inside a crosswalk. But, funding for making walking safer lags far behind the rate at which people walk to get around. While pedestrians account for 12% of all traffic deaths, only 1.5% of federal transportation funding goes o projects that retrofit roads or create safe alternatives.

"Design matters. At Bike Walk Twin Cities, we're working with local jurisdictions to address some of the most dangerous corridors and intersections," said Joan Pasiuk, director of Bike Walk Twin Cities, a program of Transit for Livable Communities.

Here are three projects to make walking safer funded by Bike Walk Twin Cities as part of the federal nonmotorized pilot program, authorized in the 2005 federal transportation law, SAFETEA-LU. Congress is considering whether to continue funding for walking and bicycling projects in the next transportation bill.

Cedar & Washington Avenues (also known as "7 Corners") in Minneapolis

Problem: Data from the Minneapolis Traffic Database indicates that 11 crashes occurred at the intersection of Cedar and Washington between 2002-2006, more than 2 deaths per year. The intersection is a busy one for truck traffic and for people too, especially given the proximity of the University of Minnesota.

Solution: Bike Walk Twin Cities awarded $765,000 to the City of Minneapolis to add medians and extend curbs so that pedestrians don't have to cover such a long distance when crossing. The changes would make it safer for people, but also accommodate trucks turning.

Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis

Problem: Franklin Avenue is noted in City of Minneapolis Traffic Crash Trend reports as a top pedestrian crash corridor, with 58 fatalaties crashes along the route between 2002-2006. "The biggest challenge faced by pedestrians on Franklin Avenue is crossing the street," said Katya Pilling, associate director of Seward Redesign. "At one point along the Avenue, a four-lane thoroughfare stands between a residential tower (with affordable housing for mostly East-African immigrant families) and the greenspace for their children; there is not a safe, direct crossing between the tower and greenspace," she said.

Solution: To deal with the intersections neighborhood residents identified as the most crucial, BWTC provided $62,000 to add curb extensions to narrow the crossing at 24th and 25th Avenues, add a crosswalk at Franklin and 24th, and for more countdown timers to aid safe crossing at Franklin and 26th Avenue. Pedestrian crossing signs also will be added.

44th, Penn& Osseo, North Minneapolis & Robbinsdale

Problem: This area, where three roads come together on the north side of Minneapolis, is a primary business node, but crossing on foot is prohibited on three of the four north-south crossings even though the intersection is served by several bus routes. The Victory Memorial Parkway section of the Grand Rounds bicycle trail is just to the north of the intersection.

Solution: Bike Walk Twin Cities is funding preliminary design , or "plan sets" for bike lanes and improved crossings for pedestrians, as well as suggestions for improving the overall pedestrian environment.

More roads in Minnesota could see similar improvements because Minnesota also has taken the key step of making "Complete Streets" the policy of the state. This policy means that Mn/DOT can work with communities to design new road projects and reconstruction projects with features that make them safer for a variety of users--from cars to bicyclists, to people walking or using wheelchairs, from the elderly to kids.

On the national level, the Safe and Complete Streets bill is being considered; it would make money available to states for these types of projects. Minnesota already has a Complete Streets policy at the state level, though it is less than a year old.

"Mn/DOT and seventeen local Minnesota communities have already stepped up with Complete Streets policies to make their roads safer for everyone, including pedestrians. But there is still much work to be done to improve safety for people walking and we need the federal government as a strong leader and partner for that effort. This report drives home that need and offers concrete steps that deserve action," said Ethan Fawley, transportation policy director for Fresh Energy.

"Some in Congress have questioned the federal interest in keeping pedestrians safe, believing it to be a strictly local issue," said James Corless, director of Transportation for America. "Given the rising cost of gas, more and more people are getting out of their cars and seeking alternative forms of transportation. As demand increases, so too does the need to make sure that all of our roads are safe for everyone. Congress must stop punting on a long-term transportation bill and prioritize the safety of all road users and give states the resources they need to stem the tide of preventable deaths." The full report, Dangerous By Design: http://t4america.org/resources/dangerousbydesign2011/

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ABOUT BIKE WALK TWIN CITIES

A program of Transit for Livable Communities, Bike Walk Twin Cities (BWTC) runs the Minneapolis-area location of the federal nonmotorized transportation pilot program, authorized in the 2005 federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU. Working with local jurisdictions, BWTC has invested more than $22 million to increase bicycling and walking as a means of transportation. BWTC has funded more than 75 miles of new bikeways and sidewalks (including the Riverlake Greenway, set to open June 11), innovative projects (including Nice Ride Minnesota bike sharing and the Sibley Bike Depot Community Partners Bike Library), outreach, planning, and measurement. BWTC’s annual counts of nonmotorized transportation show that walking is up 17% from 2007-2010 and bicycling up 33%. For more about BWTC, visit, http://www.bikewalktwincities.org

 

ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA

Transportation for America (T4 America) is the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform today. Our nation’s transportation network is based on a policy that has not been significantly updated since the 1950’s. We believe it is time for a bold new vision — transportation that guarantees our freedom to move however we choose and leads to a stronger economy, greater energy security, cleaner environment and healthier America for all of us. We’re calling for more responsible investment of our federal tax dollars to create a safer, cleaner, smarter transportation system that works for everyone. www.t4america.org

 

House Cuts State Funding for Transit, Grabs Local Sales Tax to Fill Gap

Update--March 23, 2011, 4:14 pm. The House Ways and Means Committee today deleted the CTIB ($69m biennial) shift to transit operating.  The House Transportation Finance bill now cuts ALL general fund dollars to metro area transit (i.e. $65 million per year or approximately 15% of the operating budget.) If enacted, this would lead to a service cuts of at least 15% and a fare increase of at least $.25. As noted, the Senate will consider funding bills that would lead to a $.50 fare increase.

Testimony focuses on jobs, students, seniors, disabled, and business
Senate Bill Hearings Thursday, March 24, 1 pm, Room 123  

Saint Paul, MN (March 23, 2011)—Nearly three hours of testimony before House transportation committee Monday indicated the breadth of support for maintaining existing transit service and holding firm to the promise of new transitways. Nontheless, the House committee voted to cut the general fund contribution to metro area transit by $80 million over the biennium and backfill with $69 million from a regional ¼ cent sales tax for transitway development and with approximately $9 million from the Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities Fund.

If passed into law, these moves would halt transitways (e.g., the Southwest, Bottineau, Cedar Avenue, Gateway, and Rush Line). The affect on the Central Corridor is unclear. Given anticipated shortfalls in another primary source of transit funding—the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax—and rising fuel prices, there likely would be fare increases and service cuts to come. 

The Senate bill, to be heard Thursday, would cut $32 million over the biennium to metro area transit and would require that “efficiencies” and a $50-cent fare increase be imposed before other measures were used to fill the gap in funding.

On Monday, testimony came from a wide variety of voices in support of transit. Charlie Zelle, representing the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and the Itasca Group, spoke of corporate site selectors and the factors that determine where businesses locate. “Bold investment in transit attracts business,” Zelle said. “We see transit as critical to retain employees and businesses.”

County commissioners from the metro and across the state denounced the attempt to divert regional sales taxes. A commissioner from Freeborn County said the move “establishes a dangerous precedent.” The Association of Minnesota Counties representative said the House bill addresses the budget challenge by reverting to “short term money grabs from local governments.”

Lisa Weik, Commissioner for Washington County District 5, said that her constituents continue to wait for transit while park and rides overflow. She is particularly concerned about senior mobility. Washington County is one of the five counties that voted to impose the ¼-cent sales tax for transitway development.

Paul Krause, a commissioner from Dakota County, also rejected the idea of taking the revenue from the ¼-cent sales tax, saying “If this isn’t stealing, I don’t know what is.”

Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, who chairs the Counties Transit Improvement Board, which oversees the revenue from the ¼-cent tax, said the House proposals “are the actions of a state that doesn’t believe in its future.” Commissioner McLaughlin presented a list of contractors for Central Corridor and Union Station projects, noting that the payroll for Central Corridor is $380 million.

Ramsey County Commissioner, Jim McDonough, described the broad coalition that supported the vote for the ¼-cent sales tax, saying, “I know I would not have voted for that tax if I thought the legislature would come back and steal $69 million dollars of it.”

Mike Schadauer from Mn/DOT, testifying on behalf of Commissioner Sorel, said that cuts in the general fund and possible shortfalls in revenue from the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) are “concerns for transit service across the state” and would lead to cuts in service and job losses. Representatives from the Metropolitan Council testified that cuts to transit would lead to the loss of 99 peak hour buses, at least 234 jobs, and a reduction of 7 million rides per year.

Margaret Donahoe of the Minnesota Transportation Alliance said, “This is about jobs,” noting the hit construction trades have taken in the recession. She said there are other options the committee should explore.

Transit riders from the Metro—many of whom arrived by transit—and from out-state spoke passionately about the place of transit in their lives and the affect of cuts on their communities’ quality of life.

Lisa Black, a disabled woman from New Ulm, Minnesota, described the options and costs of getting to the Committee hearings via public transit. The cheapest option would cost $122 round trip. She was joined in testimony by Gary Ludwig, who runs the regional bus system. Ludwig said legislators could cut funds, but they would end up trading “a $5 fare for a $500 ambulance,” speaking of local residents who use his service to get to medical appointments.

A student from Apple Valley said she relies on Metro Transit to get to her job. Another student, originally from Indiana, said she chose the Twin Cities because of the transit system and said other friends do the same. A long time employee of a Fortune 500 company said that he has seen his company lose prospective employees—when the company was based in Mendota Heights—and attract them because of transit when the company moved to downtown Saint Paul. “We are in a highly competitive field and need to attract top talent,” he said.

“Despite rising gas prices and large pent up demand for expanded transportation choices, the House bill halts progress on transit without exploring other funding options,” said Dave Van Hattum of Transit for Livable Communities

Video from the House Committee Hearings on March 21 can be found on The Uptake. http://theuptake.org/2011/03/22/mn-stealing-local-rail-transit-dollars/ 

 

 

 

 

Minnesota Bridges Still at Risk

March 22, 2011 (Saint Paul, MN)-- Today, one out of every eleven bridges that motorists in Minnesota cross each day are likely to be deteriorating to some degree; and 8.8 percent of bridges statewide are rated “structurally deficient” according to government standards.

A new report from Transportation from America released today shows that Minnesota ranks 34^th nationally in terms of the overall condition of the state’s bridges, with one being the worst, 51 being the best. The report includes a list of the most heavily used structurally deficient bridges in Minnesota, ranked by average annual daily traffic (ADT) counts. Nine of the ten bridges on the list are in Ramsey or Hennepin County.

“The Fix We’re In: The State of Minnesota’s Bridges” finds that drivers in Minnesota are regularly traveling across heavily trafficked bridges with “poor” ratings – bridges that could become dangerous or closed without repair.

After the devastating I-35 bridge collapse in 2007, Minnesota took a proactive step in 2008 by passing the Trunk Highway Bridge Improvement Program, providing $2.5 billion in state funds over ten years to rehabilitate or reconstruct structurally deficient bridges, prioritizing those with higher traffic volumes and those classified as “fracture critical.” This effort has greatly improved Minnesota’s network of bridges, but problems remain.

“It really shows the scale of the problem, when after a multi-billion dollar bridge repair effort, Minnesota is just above average. And we have some rural counties with one fifth or more of their bridges structurally deficient,” said Andrea Kiepe MN Organizer with Transportation for America.

Regardless of the amount of wear and tear experienced by a specific bridge, most bridges are designed to last roughly 50 years, yet more than 185,000 highway bridges nationwide (out of 600,000 total) are 50 years old or older. By 2030, that number could double without substantial bridge replacement, and it has the potential to triple by 2050. Minnesota’s average is 35.2 years old.

A recent story in the LaCrosse Tribune indicated that drivers have been ignoring weight limits that Mn/DOT posted last June on a 69-year old bridge in Winona, Minnesota, after the discovery of nine corroded gusset plates. The bridge over the Mississippi River is not slated for reconstruction until 2014.

“We have big problems with the condition of our existing bridges and highways. Yet, we continue to fund new interchanges and highway and bridge widening projects. Minnesota can’t afford anymore to make huge spending decisions without looking at the big picture—from pavement conditions to multimodal options. We’ve been expanding highways for decades. Now we need to focus on road and bridge repair and on the network for other modes of getting around: transit, sidewalks, bike routes,” said Barb Thoman, executive director of Transit for Livable Communities. 

Congress has repeatedly declared the condition and safety of our bridges to be of national significance. However, the current federal program is not designed to ensure that transportation agencies have enough money and accountability to get the job done.

“Obviously, safety is the main concern. But repair work on roads and bridges generates 16 percent more jobs than new construction,” said Andrea Kiepe. “Given the turbulent economic situation in America, the federal government should reward states that take the ‘fix it’ approach.”

“Additional funding for bridges will enhance mobility, economic development and safety on roadways throughout all of Minnesota. Moreover, bridge upgrades always leverage funding from local, state and federal sources, demonstrating that it is only through a collective and concerted effort that we will be able to ensure that present and future generations have access to the high quality infrastructure that is required of a successful 21^st century civilization, ” said Ryan O’Connor, with the Association of Minnesota Counties.

“Preserving Minnesota’s existing transportation system is crucial to ensuring regional prosperity, safety and a higher quality of life,” said James Corless, director of Transportation for America. “The economic and social cost of neglect is simply too high. It is time for our policymakers to shore up our infrastructure and ensure Americans get the most bang for our transportation buck.”

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Transportation for America (T4 America) is the largest, most diverse coalition working on transportation reform today. Our nation’s transportation network is based on a policy that has not been significantly updated since the 1950’s. We believe it is time for a bold new vision — transportation that guarantees our freedom to move however we choose and leads to a stronger economy, greater energy security, cleaner environment and healthier America for all of us. We’re calling for more responsible investment of our federal tax dollars to create a safer, cleaner, smarter transportation system that works for everyone.

Transit for Livable Communities is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization working to reform Minnesota’s transportation system. Through advocacy, organizing, education, and research, it promotes a balanced transportation system that encourages transit, walking, bicycling, and thoughtful development. www.tlcminnesota.org