 For release: July 8, 2014
Contact: Kayla Bromelkamp, public affairs, 612-348-8536
News release
The Hennepin County Board today approved the preliminary design
plans for the Southwest Light Rail Transit project serving the cities of Eden
Prairie, Minnetonka, Hopkins, and St. Louis Park. Today’s vote follows two
public hearings held by the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority on May
29 and the Hennepin County Board on June 17 to receive public comment, as
required by state statute.
“This project is a significant investment that will benefit
communities and people along the route,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Jan
Callison. “It will improve access to major employment centers in the southwest
suburbs as well as connect the southwest suburbs to destinations like downtown
Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota and the State Capitol. It’s a
major step forward in promoting the economic vitality of this region.”
The preliminary design plans for the Southwest Light Rail
Transit project include the general dimensions and location of the light rail
alignment, including approximate station locations and related
infrastructure.
“I am pleased to join city leaders in Hopkins and Minnetonka
in approving the preliminary design for the project to move forward,” said
Commissioner Callison.
The board asked the Metropolitan Council to consider the
following changes to the project outside of Minneapolis:
- Improving access and circulation to the Beltline
Station park and ride in St. Louis Park
- Including grade-separated trail crossings at
Blake, Wooddale and Beltline stations in Hopkins and St. Louis Park
- Reserving space to allow for a future trail
between the LRT and County Road 61 in Eden Prairie
- Improving access to the Blake Station park and
ride from Excelsior Boulevard and discussing a new signal at the proposed
intersection of Pierce Avenue and Excelsior Boulevard in Hopkins
- Improving the pedestrian access to the Downtown Hopkins
Station from the 5th Avenue and Excelsior Boulevard intersection
- Ensuring that crossings at all legs of the
intersections associated with the LRT project and Hennepin County facilities
are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) current standards
and requirements
“This moves us one step closer to the goal of the building
of the Southwest light rail transit line,” said Hennepin County Commissioner
Linda Higgins.
"The
approval of the project is the next step toward a multimodal transit system
that will promote healthy living, attract new businesses and residents, and secure
the region's economic strength,” said Commissioner Marion Greene. “I look
forward to partnering with communities along the line during the next portion
of the design phase."
In the past week, the City of Minneapolis and the
Metropolitan Council reached a tentative agreement that changed the preliminary
design plans for the route through Minneapolis. Release by the Metropolitan
Council of this new plan resets the timetable for municipal approval by the city
and Hennepin County for the route in Minneapolis.
“I
want to thank Met Council and the City of Minneapolis for their work in
reaching this agreement,” said Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. “The new plan in
Minneapolis provides $30 million in cost savings, will move us along in the
process, increase safety and improve access for our residents.”
Additional hearings and votes will happen during this
extended municipal approval timetable for the changes to the route through
Minneapolis.
There will be a joint public hearing with Metropolitan
Council and the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority for the new
Minneapolis route on August 13 at Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central
Library. The Hennepin County Board will consider the newly revised preliminary
design for the project in Minneapolis on August 19.
The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority will also consider
approving separate agreements with the city on public freight rail ownership
assurances and other matters.
For more information on the Metropolitan Council agreement
with the City of Minneapolis, please see the Metropolitan
Council news release.
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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
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