Interlocking Work

Here are some photos of the interlocking work for the Green Line connection to the Blue Line last weekend. (Note: I did not take theese pictures)

Metro Council to vote on dropping cost to ride Northstar Line

Hiawatha LRT (Blue Line) 8th Anniversary

Hiawatha LRT (Blue Line) celabrates its 8th Anniversary. Since opening day the Blue Line has had nearly 75 million rides.

Northstar Disaster Drill

New Metropolitan Council Logo

On Wednesday, June 13, Council members approved the new Metropolitan Council logo.

I Love Metro Transit Because................

 Show us why you love Metro Transit – and show off your creativity – in the 2012 Metro Transit Video Contest.

A picture is worth a thousand words, but your one-minute video can be worth a year's worth of easy, convenient transportation. Love how your bus route lets you travel across town? Put it in a video. Can't get enough of riding the Northstar Line? Show us!
After the deadline (July 29), Metro Transit staff will pick the five most catchy, creative videos from those submitted.

Grand Prize: An unlimited-ride Go-To Card valid for ONE YEAR of bus and train rides
1st Runner-Up: A Go-To Card valid for six months of bus and train rides
2nd Runner-Up: A Go-To Card valid for three months of bus and train rides
Two finalists: A Go-To Card valid valid for one month of bus and train rides

New 2012 Gillig

Metro Transit had the 2012 Gillig BRT bus# 1401 on display at Haywood Garage. It is basically the same as the 2011 Gilligs.

 



New User Name

I have always used Bus Driver Dude as a user name on forums. Now that I no longer a bus driver. It does not seems right to use that anymore. I need you help on a new user name. Please leave your suggestion.

Avoid Close Calls Like This - Be Aware of Your Surroundings

 

Maple Grove Celebrates 10 Millionth Ride

Maple Grove Transit will celebrate providing its 10 millionth ride May 22

On Tuesday May 22, Maple Grove Transit will be celebrating its 10 million ride provided since beginning operations in June 1990.


Maple Grove Transit Administrator Mike Opatz commented the milestone. "It is validation that the public will use a bus system as commuting option when you offer a system that includes flexibility, reliability, comfort and safety," he said. "It also shows that we have made wise investments in transit facilities, buses and services that meet the needs of our customer. Overall, I think it says were not only do the right job, but a good job as our riders keep coming back."


The city established the Maple Grove Transit in 1990 under special legislation that allowed certain suburban communities to "opt-out" of the Metro Transit system to manage and control its own locally-based transit system.

Central Corridor Transit Service Study Concept Plan

Central Corridor Transit Service Study Concept Plan presentation to the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee on Monday, May 14, 2012

Interchange Update

Interchange Update to the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee on Monday, May 14, 2012

Thefts Reported at Noble Park and Ride

Central Corridor LRT Construction Half Done

Central Corridor LRT construction reaches halfway mark on schedule

ST. PAUL - May 14, 2012 - Construction of the Central Corridor LRT Project is 50 percent complete and on track to be 75 percent done by year's end.

"The contractors really hit the ground running in March. We now have work occurring in all areas of the nearly 10-mile long project, employing more than 3,000 workers to date,'' Met Council Chair Sue Haigh said.

Praise also goes to the Midway Chamber of Commerce for encouraging patronage of corridor businesses, to banks and other businesses that use their signs to promote University Avenue businesses, and to the city of St. Paul and U7 for administering the forgivable loan fund, Haigh said. Through 2011, 98 business assistance grants had been approved, totaling $1.34 million.

"And then there are the patient businesses that work with the project office to maintain access and share information with their tenants and the citizens who serve on the construction communication committees," she said

As a result of this cooperation, the project is on schedule to substantially complete utility relocations, roadway removal and replacement, track installation and the structural elements of all 18 stations by the end of this year, said Mark Fuhrmann, program director for New Starts rail projects.

"Overall, the project remains on schedule to open in 2014 and within budget," Fuhrmann said.

Installation of the electrical, signaling and communications systems as well as testing the operation of trains will occur in 2013 and 2014 before revenue service begins in 2014. When exactly service will begin depends on how the testing goes.

Since heavy construction in late summer 2010, crews have:

Relocated about eight miles of public utilities so they won't be under the tracks and any work on them in the future won't disrupt rail service.

• Removed and replaced five miles of roadway, sidewalks, curbs and gutters from building front to building front.
• Installed 3.5 miles of the 10 miles of double track.
• Begun work at 15 of the 18 station locations.
• Completed nearly two-thirds of the work on the Washington Avenue Bridge. Traffic is expected to resume this summer on the outside lanes of each side of the bridge in their final single-lane each way configuration. Double tracks will be installed in the inside lane of the bridge.
• Completed 35 percent of the work on the operation and maintenance facility in Lowertown St. Paul.
• Completed construction of the Interstate 35W flyover in Minneapolis where Central Corridor tracks will join Hiawatha LRT tracks. (Passengers will be able to continue their trip into downtown Minneapolis on the same train from the Metrodome to Target Field Station.)
• Demolished the former Bremer Bank and completed the skyway connection over Fifth Street in St. Paul.
• Completed two of the foundations for the 14 traction power substations that will convert electricity into a form that can be used to power the trains.
• Assembled the shell of the first new light rail vehicle, which is expected to arrive this fall in Minnesota.

HO MN Northstar Commuter Rail

Found this on You Tube