Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) - From Frustration to Relaxation
As a main connection between southern suburbs and both downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, Cedar Avenue is one of the most traveled roads in Dakota County. More than 155,000 vehicles travel it daily, and that is expected to almost double over the next 20 years as growth along the corridor continues.
Expanded transit service along Cedar Avenue is essential to meeting the needs of residents, businesses and commuters. In 2012, existing bus and express bus routes will be enhanced with bus rapid transit, which has the speed and reliability of light rail. But since it operates on the shoulders of existing roadways, it has less construction impacts, provides more flexible service, and can operate at a higher frequency than light rail, and is less expensive to build.
Bus rapid transit buses will operate on existing roadways like regular buses, but will have the advantage of bus-only shoulder lanes and enhanced transit stations to achieve service levels similar to light rail.