Two more Cedar Avenue bus stops close
Cedar Avenue lane closures start March 26
Two more Cedar Avenue bus stops in Apple Valley have closed.
According to the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, the northbound bus stops on Cedar at 147th Street, and 140th Street, where the bus enclosure is located, will stay closed as Bus Rapid Transit construction continues in the area.
MVTA had already closed its 142nd Street bus stop; there is no estimated date that the stops will re-open.
Alternate routes include the 420, a flex bus route that can go off-route within the service area to drop off and pick up passengers or the 440 that operates along Galaxie Avenue and stops for riders who signal the driver.
Riders can also arrange flex route pick ups by calling 952-882-7500 to schedule a reservation. It is recommended they call at least two hours before their desired pick-up time; callers can also arrange a standing reservation.
Minnesota Valley Transit will continue to operate bus service during Bus Rapid Transit construction and will likely alter its routes to avoid Cedar Avenue, according to MVTA Customer Relations Manager Robin Selvig.
She said delays along Cedar Avenue are expected to be significant as construction will begin to shut down lanes on Cedar beginning March 26.
According to a Dakota County March 16 newsletter, northbound lanes will close from County Road 42 to south of Upper 136th Street, leaving two lanes of traffic open.
During off-peak hours, traffic may be shuttled into just one lane.
The newsletter adds that southbound lane closures on Cedar are expected in April and will remain in place until later this summer.
“We believe it’s in the best interest of our riders to move buses onto slightly different routing,” Selvig said.
MVTA buses will continue at the Lakeville Cedar Park and Ride at 181st Street on Cedar Avenue
and the Cedar Grove Transit Station in Eagan.
— Laura Adelmann
