Related LinksContacts
|
MARQ2 OverviewMarquette Avenue and Second Avenue South Transit Project
Thank You For Your Patience While We Build A Better Minneapolis! Marquette Avenue and Second Avenue South are being reconstructed between 1st Street South and 12th Street South. Work started in August 2008 and will continue through December 2009. Both streets are being rebuilt from building front to building front. When the project is completed, the street will have two bus lanes and two traffic lanes (both operating in the same direction as they do today), wider sidewalks, new transit shelters, public art, more trees and more attractive landscaping and streetscaping. Several of the transit facilities will have real-time electronic departure information signs. The number of buses operating in downtown is expected to increase significantly in the future, particularly as commuters continue to turn to mass transit to access the downtown business core. The dual transit lanes on 2nd and Marquette will:
The MARQ2 project is the first of several projects that will reshape transportation in downtown Minneapolis, and it is the first major project to be constructed in the Downtown Transportation Action Plan, which was adopted by City Council in June 2007. When the MARQ2 project is completed, north-south commuter express buses will be moved from Nicollet Mall, 3rd Avenue South and other north-south streets to Marquette and 2nd. North-south commuter bus service will be much faster and more reliable than it is today, and the number of buses on the Mall during the peak periods will be reduced by about 35%. At that time, bicyclists will be able to use Nicollet Mall 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. By the end of 2010, all buses operating on Nicollet Mall will be hybrid electric buses, resulting in a quieter, cleaner mall environment for pedestrians, shoppers and diners. The removal of express buses from other streets will also help traffic flow better on those streets. Other transportation changes that are coming to downtown in 2009 include:
The MARQ2 project is funded as part of an Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) grant which included approximately $32 million for the reconstruction of Marquette and 2nd Avenues. The United States Department of Transportation awarded $133 million to the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Council in August 2007 to reduce congestion in the Twin Cities region. The Twin Cities was one of five metropolitan areas in the country to receive an UPA grant. The MARQ2 project is a key component of the regional UPA program. Additional information regarding UPA can be found at www.dot.state.mn.us/upa. The following documents are PDF and require Acrobat Reader. Watch webcast of Mayor R.T. Rybak discussing the project with John Wertjes, Director of Traffic & Parking Services. View a 3D animation of a typical completed block. (requires Windows Media Player) 
|
