Mass Transit

SEP-OCT 2014

Mass Transit magazine features agency profiles, industry trends, management tips and new product information.

Issue link: https://masstransit.epubxp.com/i/385405

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 25 of 105

24 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 Char les Car lson Senior Manager BRT Projects, Metro Transit CHARLES CARLSON has been a leader of Metro Transit's Bus Rapid Transit/ Small Starts Project Ofce. Te ofce is responsible for planning and implementing an ambitious arte- rial BRT system that will bring faster, more frequent service to the most-traveled transitways in the Twin Cities. Te ofce is also leading the development of the Metro Orange Line, which will bring BRT service to one of the busiest highways in Minnesota, and re- cently completed the frst study of transit alternatives for a busy south Minneapolis corridor that will connect two light rail lines. Together, these projects represent more than $800 million in capi - tal investments and will attract 25 million rides annually. Carlson started in his current role in September 2012 afer working as a facilities planner in Metro Transit's Engineering & Facilities Department and as a planner for the Metropolitan Council, of which Metro Transit is an operating division. In his current role, Carlson leads a growing ofce that now includes four full-time planners and engineers, providing key leadership that keeps projects on time and on budget. He also works closely with various Metro Transit departments, consultants, state and munic- ipal partners and community stakeholders to build consen- sus and support for the BRT projects throughout the plan- ning process. Carlson has been an efective advocate for BRT projects, se- curing more than $100 million in competitive funds from re- gional, state and federal sources. His testimony to the state legis- lature in 2014 helped secure full funding for the $25 million A Line, which will be under construction in 2015. Carlson has been especially efective in his role because of his personal commitment to transit. In 2014, he sold his vehicle and made transit his primary mode of travel. www.MassTransitmag.com/11617579 Charles Carlson, Senior Manager, BRT/Small Starts Project Offce Capt. James Franklin, Metro Transit Police Department Metro Transit congratulates Capt. James Franklin, Charles Carlson and their fellow leaders. Thanks for helping transit thrive in the Twin Cities! For more information, visit www.MassTransitmag.com/10758044 "Ten years ago nobody was talking about BRT … I've been continuously afforded opportunities to shape and define what that means for this region. We've evolved from finding ways to carve out dedicated lanes to a problem-solving focus of learning and solving the challenges by corridor."

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Mass Transit - SEP-OCT 2014