Public Invited To Check Out Rochester’s Future Transit Station
Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - To give Rochester residents an idea of what to expect in a few years, the city has built a model of a transit station and is inviting the public to check it out.
The model is located on 2nd St SE near the Public Library.
It’s the same site where a full-scale station will be located as part of the city’s planned bus rapid transit system. It will be one of seven stations that will be located along the BRT route. The 2.6-mile route will span the length of 2nd St, connecting the Mayo Civic Center on the east end to Cascade Lake on the west side of the city. It will also service Mayo Clinic campuses and the Rochester-Olmsted Government Center.
The transit system is scheduled to be operational by 2025. The city is requesting half the cost of the $114-million project cost from the federal government. The remaining funds will come from state and local DMC sources.
The city formally unveiled the model station Monday and is offering self-guided tours of the site through the end of the month. The city also unveiled the name and logo for the transit system. It will be known as “Link.”
“There are several features unique to bus rapid transit that are on display,” shared City Project Manager Jarrett Hubbard. “The most striking is the platform size,” he continued. “At 80 feet in length, Link’s platform will allow the larger, 60-foot vehicles to open three doors simultaneously at a level boarding platform to allow for efficient boarding and alighting.”
Other features demonstrated by the Link station model include generous enclosed spaces to provide shelter from the elements, off-board fare payment, and passenger information screens. The model will also have informational displays with details about Link’s planned service features, and renderings of each of seven stations along the route.
The City will host a Mobility Fair on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The free public event is a block party on Second Street SE between the Rochester Public Library and the Link station model.
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