Twin Cities ponder BRT

Minnesota government officials, legislators and city mayors from around the Twin Cities metropolitan area have endorsed BRT (bus rapid transit) as a way to clear up congestion.

According to the Minneapolis StarTribune, the BRT lanes would be developed along I-35W, which is described as one of the more traffic-heavy corridors in the region.

BRT is the most “practical and affordable way” to address worsening commuting conditions on I-35W, said officials from Minneapolis, Richfield, Bloomington, Burnsville and Lakeville, who met this week to discuss transportation options.

The state is awaiting results of a Department of Transportation study on high-speed bus transit on I-35W. The study, expected to be completed in December, will make recommendations on appropriate stages of development for BRT service.