Media advisory: County to consider actions to advance Southwest LRT at special meetings today

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Hennepin County Minnesota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969

County to consider actions to advance Southwest LRT at special meetings today

Who

Hennepin County Board of Commissioners and Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority 

What

Yesterday, the Metropolitan Council received a Letter of No Prejudice from the Federal Transit Administration, clearing the way for construction to begin on the Southwest Light Rail Transit project. Read the news release.

Today, the county board and the rail authority will hold special meetings to consider:

  • Authorizing the Metropolitan Council to begin the early construction activities allowed by the Letter of No Prejudice
  • Authorizing the Metropolitan Council to undertake activities under federal pre-award authority, such as buying long lead-time items like light rail vehicles
  • Approving a new grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council for up to $435 million for the above activities and associated costs
  • Providing a commitment by the county, as requested by the Federal Transit Administration, for up to an additional $200.3 million for Southwest LRT, or 10 percent of the total project budget, in the event of funding shortfalls or cost increases, with a parallel commitment for the Bottineau Light Rail Transit project

The Metropolitan Council will meet this afternoon, following county board actions, to vote on awarding the civil construction contract.

When

  • Today, November 15, 2018
  • The county board meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the rail authority meeting will begin immediately after the county board meeting ends.

Where

  • Board room (A-2400), Hennepin County Government Center
  • 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis

Background

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.

Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.