 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug.19, 2014
Contact:
Julie Caniglia, public affairs, 612-348-6883
Carolyn Marinan, public affairs, 612-348-5969
News release
The Hennepin County Board today completed
its municipal approval process for preliminary design plans for the Southwest light
rail transit project, in voting to approve the portion of those plans serving
the city of Minneapolis. The vote follows a joint public hearing held by the Metropolitan
Council and the Hennepin County Board on August 13 to receive public comment,
as required by state statute.
The board voted on a
revised version of preliminary design plans for the transit line within the
City of Minneapolis, as adopted by the Metropolitan Council on July 10; the
revised plans were developed as a result of negotiations between the council
and the city. Minneapolis will vote on municipal approval for these plans on
August 29. On July 8, the board voted to approve those portions of the line serving
the cities of Eden
Prairie, Minnetonka, Hopkins and St. Louis Park; for more information, see the July 8 news release.
“This vote is the culmination of years of hard work by
civic, business and community leaders,”
said Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison. “At its heart is a
vision of Hennepin County—and the Twin Cities—as an economically competitive
region where transportation and job choices are widely available. Thank
you to all those who have worked so hard to make this happen.”
“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.
Added Commissioner Marion Greene: "This line continues to
reinforce Minneapolis as the economic hub of our region, and will drive
economic growth of regional significance in Minneapolis, St. Louis Park and
other communities on the line.”
“Southwest
light rail transit is an important investment that responds to and will help
drive growth in our region,”
said Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. “By connecting regional job
centers, it will be an attractive and efficient transportation alternative for
commuters.”
In addition, the Hennepin County
Regional Railroad Authority confirmed its commitment to pay 10 percent of the
capital costs for construction of the Southwest light rail transit project.
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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.
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