Multimodal.
Safe, efficient transportation depends on infrastructure that supports multiple ways of traveling from point A to point B. Not just by road, but by air, water, rail, bus, bicycle and on foot.
Locally, there’s a forward-looking, multimodal project that the MIC has been a partner in developing for many years.
Duluth Multimodal Transportation Center
Public taxpayer investments, more than ever before, are being called upon to serve multiple goals. The proposed Duluth Multimodal Transportation Center does just this. It will provide a centrally located transportation hub that serves the City, the northeast region, and the state.
The state of the art facility will serve passengers of the Duluth Transit Authority’s local bus service as well as passengers of inter-city bus services. Both Jefferson Lines and Indianhead Transit as well as local providers LCS (private) and Arrowhead Transit (public) will be using the facility. It will add parking for commuters and provide space for rental cars and taxi operations, as well as secure bike parking. Pedestrian and bicyclists will be connected to the downtown area, convention center, and waterfront trails via replaced skywalks and concourses. The transit area will take advantage of all the DTA’s state-of-the-art technology and provide riders with real-time information and other amenities in a safe and secure area.
It’s being developed in response to documented needs. The existing DTA transit center on Superior Street requires improvements to increase safety and security, to improve the effectiveness of the current and future transportation demand, and to provide connectivity to the overall transportation system.
Public-Private Partnerships
The project includes upgrading portions of the aged Northwest Passage Skywalk with an improved design, easier connections, and potential retail commercial potential.
Working with non-profit, private owners, community partners, current and future tenants of the facility will strengthen the value of the facility. The DTA will work with a private partner on this project and will use the design/build concept of construction to rapidly complete the project.
State Bonding Bill
This project is being put forward as part of Minnesota’s proposed 2012 bonding bill, to appropriate $6,000,000 to create jobs and invest in the multimodal transportation needs of tomorrow.
Interconnected, multimodal transportation options encourage economic growth, reduce congestion and environmental impacts, and improve mobility and access to transportation for both people and goods.
For these reasons, there’s lots of support for this project at the local and federal levels. Let’s make sure we support our state lawmakers to see this bonding bill through and see these benefits happen here in Duluth.