Robbinsdale extension
Temporary routing
In 2007, Metro Transit began working with Minneapolis Public Works to upgrade the pavement on Victory Memorial Parkway.
Transit staff began developing a Route 19 service plan, anticipating that roadwork would be completed in May 2008. By mid-May it was apparent that roadwork would not be completed on schedule; however, schedules had been printed and driver work had already been assigned. Metro Transit opted to proceed with the Victory Memorial Parkway routing, expecting roadwork to be completed within a few weeks.
Route 19 was extended to serve Robbinsdale Transit Center, via Victory Memorial Parkway, on May 31, 2008. The route was immediately detoured on Thomas Avenue/44th Avenue/Upton/45th Avenue/Lake Drive until roadwork on Victory Memorial Parkway could be completed.
Throughout the summer, Metro Transit worked with the City of Minneapolis to advance the paving project. An agreement was discussed at the July 15 meeting of the Transportation & Public Works department and the Minneapolis City Council approved the repaving contract at its July 25, 2008 meeting. In August 2008, the City’s public works department was directed to cancel the paving project due to neighborhood concerns. Members of the Joint Board withdrew support of the Victory Memorial Parkway routing the following month.
Upon further review, it was determined that the joint board statute does not apply in this case, since the affected portion of Victory Memorial Parkway is not within Minneapolis city limits, which end at Xerxes Ave N. Legally, Victory Parkway is no different from any other roadway, and no approval from a joint board or an outside agency is required for Metro Transit to operate bus service there.
On Dec. 13, 2008, some Route 19 service to the 42nd & York area was restored. Trips serving Robbinsdale continue to use the temporary routing via Thomas, 44th and Upton avenues.
Metro Transit, the Minneapolis Parks Board and the cities of Minneapolis and Robbinsdale have agreed to continuee to review routing options and work with residents in an effort to achieve consensus.
