| U of M Transitway | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | Bus rapid transit |
| System | University of Minnesota shuttle, Minnesota State Fair shuttle |
| Status | Open |
| Locale | Minneapolis, Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, Falcon Heights, Minnesota |
| Stations | 1 (formerly 3) |
| Services | Campus Connector (route 121), Metro Transit route 272[1] |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1992 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 2.6 miles (4.2 km) |
| Operating speed | 45 mph max |
The U of M Transitway is a busway that runs between the University of Minnesota's Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses. Use of the roadway is limited to buses, bicycles, and emergency vehicles. The University of Minnesota runs zero-fare buses along the busway connecting the two campuses, primarily the Campus Connector (route 121 or 121E for the express). A bicycle trail runs alongside to the transitway for most of its distance. Between the endpoints, there are only two intersections with stoplights controlling busway traffic at Energy Park Drive and Como Avenue. The stoplights are designed to normally give the buses priority, so it is possible for many buses to run the length of the transitway without stopping. The busway opened in 1992.
There were a large number of crashes in the early years of the transitway. It was determined that many intersections along the route did not have good visibility, so that led to a project in the late 1990s to add magnetic loops and Autoscope devices to detect buses and bicycles.[2][3] These systems activate lighted stop signs to grab the attention of motorists approaching on cross streets.
During the Minnesota State Fair (late August through Labor Day each year), Metro Transit along with other area bus companies use parts of the transit way as a fast way to get to Como Avenue via 280 to Energy Park Drive, creating a seamless park and ride system from across the metro. The transitway also sees usage by non-University buses in other parts of the year. As of 2009, the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority uses the transitway to bring buses to a parking lot across from the State Fairgrounds which is used as a layover point.
The western end of the transitway was cut back about ¼ mile (400 m) around 2008 in order to make way for the new TCF Bank Stadium. Previously, it had run all the way to Mariucci Arena. This process also removed two stops on the western end of the transitway where there had previously been parking lots. The Campus Connector bus now runs north around the stadium.[4] The removed stops were relocated to nearby streets, but are no longer on the transitway itself. There is still one stop at the eastern end of the transitway at Commonwealth Avenue.
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