From Nick Thompson, Deputy General Manager-Capital Programs
Before the end of the year, we’ll celebrate the opening of the METRO D Line and mark the start of construction on our region’s next Bus Rapid Transit Line, the METRO Gold Line.
Our North Loop Garage will open in early 2023, and we are making steady progress on the Green Line Extension.
These are exciting milestones for our organization and our region, bringing us closer to our vision of operating a fully built out network of BRT and light rail lines stretching all the way from Woodbury to Eden Prairie and from Apple Valley to Brooklyn Park.
But after construction is over and opening day has come and gone, these big investments need a lot of attention.
Maintaining current and future assets – our support and public facilities, buses, and trains – is critical work that we must plan for long in advance.
The roadmap for how we maintain and expand our network is largely created through our Capital Improvement Program (CIP), a six-year spending plan that is updated and presented to the Met Council annually.
As we described to the Transportation Committee, our CIP essentially serves as a list of maintenance and expansion projects we’ll undertake in the coming years.
Many of these projects already have identified local, state, and federal funding, which the Council approves separately over time.
The good news for us in this CIP is that one-time federal funding approved through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is allowing us to invest millions of additional dollars in upkeep over the coming years. Because we have reduced service, we are also planning to purchase fewer replacement buses in the coming years.
Combined, our 2023-2028 CIP calls for spending almost $800 million to keep our system in what is known as a state of good repair. Significant investments include:
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Replacing our fare collection system.
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Renovating the METRO Blue Line's Lake Street/Midtown Station.
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Ongoing rail maintenance projects, including track, systems, and bridge work.
As always, we focus heavily on maintenance because we value and want to protect the investments we’ve made in our transit network. Some of our infrastructure is showing its age, too – the METRO Blue Line has been in service for almost 20 years.
At the same time, we know how much our region stands to benefit from expanding access to high-quality transit.
So, our proposed CIP also includes nearly $2 billion to design and build new transitways like the B Line on Lake Street and the Blue Line Extension from Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park. Funding has also been set aside to expand our Green Line Operations & Maintenance Facility so we are better equipped to store and maintain our growing fleet of light rail vehicles.
It is reasonable to ask how we should think about expanding our system while facing considerable workforce challenges and changes in travel behavior. To be sure, we are using all the information we have to plan carefully for our future.
While we will continue to learn and adapt, we believe strongly that our region needs, wants, and deserves the system that’s been envisioned. And we know that we can’t get there without preparing for that future today.
Thank you to all those who contributed to this proposed CIP and who will help bring this vision forward in the years ahead.
Save the Date
A groundbreaking ceremony for the METRO Gold Line will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m. The event will be held at the Gold Line's construction field office, 6063 Hudson Road, Woodbury. For more information, contact Liz Jones.
Learn more about the METRO Gold Line
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Two of Metro Transit's longest-serving employees are celebrating the conclusion of their long careers.
- Transportation Manager Steve Jaeger, above left, retires today after 47 years of service. Steve began his career as a bus operator and later served as a dispatcher and assistant transportation manager. He has been a transportation manager for more than 35 years, the longest anyone has ever held that position. He enjoyed the role, he said, because it gave him an opportunity to lead and make an impact on those around him. “I’m confident that this is what I was created to do,” he said. In retirement, Steve plans to spend more time with family, including his wife, daughters, sons-in-law and six grandchildren, and to get more involved in church activities.
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Cha Vang, police and security administrator, began as an intern in the security department that would eventually become the Metro Transit Police Department. He retires with 35 years of service and plans to spend time volunteering, working on house projects, and enjoying his family, including his wife and four children. “It’s really been a privilege to be a part of the growth,” he said. “Everything was growing right in front of our eyes, which was pretty exciting.”
Upcoming retirement celebrations
- East Metro Technician Skip Kringen, 14 years of service, 1:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 3
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Cha Vang, Police Administration, 35 years of service, 3 p.m., Monday, Oct. 3, MTPD Room 314-315h
Congratulations to...
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Drew Choisser-Goodrich, who recently accepted the position of Manager of Rail Quality Assurance. Drew joined the Light Rail Vehicle Maintenance Department five years ago, and previously worked in heavy rail.
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Joe Reichstadt, who is starting a new position as the Metro Transit Police Department's finance manager next week. Joe spent the past 15 years in Bus Maintenance, most recently as assistant director of administration.
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Organizers of the ATU-Metro Transit Operator Apprentice Program. The program recently surpassed the four-year mark and welcomed its 100th group of new students.
Leadership Academy graduation today!
Leadership Academy graduates will be celebrated from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 30) in Room 314/315 at the Metro Transit Police & Office Facility. All are welcome to attend.
The Leadership Academy is a six-month training and mentorship program that provides an opportunity for frontline staff to gain supervisory experience. For more information, visit MetNet.
Four Mechanic Technicians were recognized this week as part of the Awarding Accomplishment program.
- Technicians Mike Prudhomme, Jacob Widgren and Paul Swanson, above left, were recognized for their work in the Overhaul Base Fabrication Shop. At the shop, the team designs and makes many parts for vehicles and facilities. Recent efforts have included brackets for farebox keyboards and glass inserts that replace or reinforce glass panels at light rail stations. "Their ingenuity, attention to detail and dedication to their craft is very much appreciated," Overhaul Base Manager Bill Beck said. Mike has 38 years of service, Jacob has 12 years of service and Paul has 28 years of service.
- Ruter Technician Rocky Richardson was recognized for being a skilled mechanic as well as a reliable and caring co-worker. "He treats everyone respectfully and always finds a way to lift people up when they're down," Ruter Maintenance Manager Steve Kaari said. "He's quite an inspiration to us."
Submit an Awarding Accomplishment nomination
Managers and supervisors are encouraged to nominate employees for recognition through the Awarding Accomplishment program at any time. Honorees are celebrated by the Met Council's Transportation Committee and receive a commemorative plaque and eight hours leave. For more information, contact Drew Kerr.
Reminder! Bus Technician Apprentice applications are due today (Friday, Sept. 30). Learn more at metrotransit.org/career-pathways.
“How We Roll” celebrates Metro Transit employees who commute and travel to many other destinations using transit or by biking, walking or carpooling.
How do you get around?
I predominately get around by walking and taking transit. I’ve lived in the North Loop now for several years, enjoying short walks to and from work at Metro Transit. For other trips, I take light rail or the bus. And I use Evie and Hourcar (car share) for longer trips I can’t easily use transit for, like grocery shopping or going out of town. When I travel, I also like to use transit and avoid renting a car when I can. I’m looking forward to a trip to Hawaii and taking transit there.
How did you become so multimodal?
I grew up on a dairy farm outside of Grand Forks but when I started at the University of Minnesota in 2012, I didn’t have a car. I’d never taken transit before, and it was a bit of a bumpy road at first. But I quickly grew to love it, thought the U Pass was the greatest thing ever, and am now a very unapologetic transit enthusiast. Where I used to see having a driver’s license as having freedom, I now feel like I have even more freedom because I don’t have to own and maintain a car to get around.
What do you like most about using transit?
The biggest thing for me is not having to worry about focusing on the road. When I take transit, I have a professional doing that for me, and I can relax, read, look at TikTok and do other things that are a lot more enjoyable than thinking about the car in front of me.
How does taking transit impact the work you do?
Because I regularly take transit, I look at everything I do from the lens of a transit rider and ask, ‘How is a rider going to interpret this?’ Working in transit information, little things can get missed if we don’t stop to think about how it’s going to affect people. The way I think about it, the work I do is going to affect thousands of other people – including me.
East Metro Operator Michael Vermeersch recently received the following commendation from a Route 54 customer.
This is an excellent and considerate driver who is always helpful to customers. I've never heard a discouraging word from him ever! I am so grateful he is on this route as I am still recovering from knee replacement and he waits for me to sit before pulling away. Big applause for this great driver!
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Crews this week began painting a new bus lane on Chicago Avenue, another milestone for the approaching opening of the METRO D Line.
The southbound bus lane extends from 28th Street to Lake Street and will help D Line buses travel more reliably through the corridor. The combination of bus lanes, signal priority, off-board fare payment and all-door boarding, and wider stop spacing is expected to reduce travel times in the corridor by up to 25%.
The D Line will open on Saturday, Dec. 3, just 64 days from today.
National Hispanic Heritage Month: To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 through October 15) employees are invited to learn more about Hispanic culture and enjoy refreshments at these upcoming events:
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Wednesday, Oct. 5, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Heywood Office
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Friday, Oct. 7, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., South Garage
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Friday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Green Line OMF
For more information, email Celina Martina.
Deaf/blind mini-training: In recognition of Deaf Awareness Month (September) and Disability Employment Awareness Month (October), all employees are invited to join the Metro Transit Equity & Inclusion Team for a deaf/blind awareness mini-training program on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m.. During the program, employees will be asked to wear a facemask and earmuffs to experience the sensation of riding a bus without being able to see or hear. Similar training is provided to bus operators. To learn more more, contact Dan Stoffer.
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