East Grand Forks city council approves new routes for public transportation

The City Council voted Tuesday to renew contracts with the state of Minnesota and the city of Grand Forks regarding public transportation routes. By doing so, they approved City Area Transit's new bus routes.

The new routes were designed to make stops more frequent, according to city officials.

"They were getting complaints that it was taking too long to get from one point to another," City Administrator David Murphy said.

The city have received positive feedback since the new bus routes went into effect last week, according to Murphy.

City Engineer Steve Emery also announced that the city was able to secure $165,910 from the Minnesota Department of Transportation's "Safe Routes to School" initiative. This will go towards an extensive infrastructure project that focuses on street improvements and, specifically, pedestrian safety.

The council also voted to support the Red Lake River Corridor grant funding and local match commitment. The money will be used to improve access to the Red River, said Reid Huttunen, parks and recreation superintendent. Projects may include new handicap ramps around the river, fishing piers and kayak ramps.

The funding comes from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' legacy funds.