Scope Team
Topic PresentationLight Rail
Topic: Transportation
Presenter: Nick Stanley
Fall 2004, University of Minnesota
Introduction
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We are the Scope Team
Scope – What is the project going to
accomplish?
Light Rail Mass Transportation
System of the Metro Area
Mass Transport - History
Horse Cars
Steam Cars
Electric Streetcars
Electric Expansion
Electric Out, Buses In
Streetcar hits Grocery Store
Light Rail - Present
About the Train
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Electrically Powered by wires 16-feet
overhead
Each Car is 94-feet long
Manufactured by Bombardier
Top Speed of 55 mph, general speed
of 40 mph, and slower in downtown
Seating for 66 and standing room for
120 per car with 4 doorways
Fares
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Self service, barrier
free, proof of
payment system
Same as bus fares
$100 fine for fare
evasion
Opening Day
Light Rail – Scope
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To preserve livability
To strengthen neighborhoods
To attract new employment
opportunities
To improve alternative transportation
options within the city
To promote growth, accessibility and
economic vitality of Downtown
Time Goals
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Initial time goals were not met
Supposed to open April 3, 2004
Opened for partial service June 26, 2004
Light Rail - Milestones
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Broke Ground January 17,
2001
12 Stations Completed
13 Rail Cars Delivered
Mined Airport Rail Tunnels
Installed All Track in
Minneapolis
Relocated Utilities in
Downtown
As of now construction is
97% complete
Construction Funding (Cost)
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Federal
State of Minnesota
Metropolitan Airports Commission
Hennepin County
Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Grant
Transit Capital Grant
MnDOT
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Total
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(Amounts given in millions of United States Dollars)
334.3
100.0
87.0
84.2
49.8
39.9
29.1
715.3
What went right?
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Ridership is higher
than expected
No major
breakdowns
Only one major
delay
One Major Delay
Conclusion
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Next phase scheduled to be complete
on December 4, 2004
Rider ship is higher than expected
Will not know if scope goals have
been accomplished until 2020
Jessie Ventura did not invent Light
Rail
References
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Star Tribune articles:
- “LRT crash killed driver about to give up keys” (09/28/2004)
- “Light rail’s next phase opens Dec. 4” (09/28/2004)
- “September light-rail ridership exceeds goals” (10/09/2004)
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Websites
- Metropolitan Rail Office Hiawatha Light Rail Project website
(http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/lrt/)
- Metropolitan Council – Transportation – Hiawatha Light Rail Transit website
(http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/lrt/lrt.htm)
- Planning Division (department of community Planning and Economic
Development) website (http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/lightrail/planning/index.html)
- Star Tribune Photo Gallery websites
(http://www.startribune.com/images/ss/1185_0.html and
http://www.startribune.com/images/ss/1188_0.html)