LINK - Bus Rapid Transit

Collaborators 

Lead Organization: City of Rochester and DMC EDA

Contact: DMC Communications ; Email: erinobrien@dmceda.org ; Phone: TBD

Known/Likely Collaborators: City of Rochester, MN ; Community Development Department (Formerly Rochester-Olmsted Planning Department) ; DMC EDA ; SRF Consulting

Potential Collaborators:

Related Projects

DMC Transportation: Parking ; Destination Medical Center (DMC) ; Rochester, MN Transit Development Plan Update ; SE Mn Transportation Projects Information Portal ; The Rochester - Twin Cities Rail Corridor (Zip Rail) ; Transportation: ROCOG Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) ; West Transit Village

Impacts 

Major Impact:  Mobility

PlanScape Impacts :

Level 1: Transportation

Level 2: Transportation, Heart of the City, Discovery Square, UMR and Recreation, Central Station, Waterfront, St Marys Place

DMC Impacts:

Livable City, Hotel & Hospitality, Arts & Culture, Health & Wellness, Heart of the City, Discovery Square, UMR and Recreation, Central Station, Waterfront, St Marys Place

Community Health Impacts:

Financial Stress/Homelessness, Social Determinants

Type of Project

Planning  

Why is Link necessary?

The 2nd Street SW corridor is one of the most heavily-used corridors in the City of Rochester, carrying more than 21,800 vehicles and 13,000 transit riders each day. The corridor is already near capacity, and congestion causes significant delays for transit users, drivers, and others traveling through the area. Link Rapid Transit will:

• Expand transportation options.
• Reduce the need for expensive parking.
• Alleviate future congestion.
• Prepare for downtown growth and support sustainable development.
• Improve quality of life for residents, employees, and visitors.

Downtown is expected to grow dramatically in the coming years.  Link will help people take more trips downtown by riding transit, biking, walking, and carpooling.

BRT was selected in 2019 as a result of the Alternatives Evaluation. The preferred route follows 2nd Street SW from the Mayo West Lot to downtown Rochester and will primarily operate in dedicated bus lanes. The current phase of work includes:

• Environmental review.
• Preliminary engineering.
• Communication and public engagement.

Why is Link necessary?

The 2nd Street SW corridor is one of the most heavily-used corridors in the City of Rochester, carrying more than 21,800 vehicles and 13,000 transit riders each day. The corridor is already near capacity, and congestion causes significant delays for transit users, drivers, and others traveling through the area. Link Rapid Transit will:

• Expand transportation options.
• Reduce the need for expensive parking.
• Alleviate future congestion.
• Prepare for downtown growth and support sustainable development.
• Improve quality of life for residents, employees, and visitors.

BRT was selected in 2019 as a result of the Alternatives Evaluation. The preferred route follows 2nd Street SW from the Mayo West Lot to downtown Rochester and will primarily operate in dedicated bus lanes. The current phase of work includes:

• Environmental review.
• Preliminary engineering.
• Communication and public engagement.

1. Efficient, convenient and accessible transportation systems that provides favorable cost structure commuters, employers and the public sector
2. More marketable downtown properties
3. More efficient and effective use of existing and future parking supplies
4. Better efficiencies in the use of land and reduced parking development costs (for both private and public sectors)
5. Greater transit ridership
6. Reduced traffic congestion
7. A strong partnership between the public sector, Mayo Clinic and the downtown business community
8. Measurable success based on consensus targets for access and growth

1. Organization that effectively supports and advocates the long-term economic vitality and livability of the downtown
2. Downtown parking to support economic development goals
3. Increased percentage of downtown employees commuting by transit from 10% (2008) to 23-30% by 2035
4. Increased number and percentage of commuter bike trips to downtown Rochester from an existing bike/walk mode split of 7% (2008) to 13% by 2035
5. Increased percentage of downtown employees commuting by carpool/vanpools to downtown Rochester from 12% (2008) to 14% (2035)
6. Increased employee awareness of the Rochester Access Management Authority and alternative mode transportation options
7. System-wide partnerships to support parking and TDM efforts/mission