https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNORGMETC/bulletins/39e13f3   

METRO E Line construction began this week

METRO E Line project construction map 

Work began at the following station:

Upton & 43rd Street

• Construction is being coordinated with the City of Minneapolis, which is leading an active sewer and water project at this intersection.
• This intersection will be fully closed during city construction and will open to traffic on Upton/Sheridan avenues after the city finishes its project, and while Metro Transit continues construction of E Line platforms.
• Detours for this construction will follow 39th Street, Xerxes Avenue, and 44th Street.
• Construction will include partial street reconstruction, traffic signal reconstruction, new station platforms, new sidewalk, and new pedestrian ramps.    
• Major station construction is scheduled to be complete by mid-July. Installation of shelters, pylons, and other station features will follow. 
• Sidewalks will remain open on at least one side of the street and pedestrian access will be maintained to homes and businesses. 

Additional stations will see construction activities begin soon

Construction work on France Avenue is currently scheduled to begin the first week of June.

Construction will generally begin on the west side of France Avenue at each intersection. Work at France and 44th Street will instead begin on the east side of France due to the location of E Line platforms at that intersection.

For the second stage of work, construction will generally shift to the east side of France Avenue at each intersection.

Each stage is estimated to last approximately 5 to 6 weeks for a total of 10 to 12 weeks of construction at each intersection. This phased construction approach will allow France Avenue to remain open to northbound through-traffic for the duration of work, detouring southbound through-traffic to Xerxes Avenue via 39th Street and 60th Street. Local traffic, between intersections will be able to travel northbound and southbound.

Construction at France Avenue stations is anticipated to begin on the following dates:

France & 44th Street begins: week of June 3

• Construction is planned to begin on the east side of France Avenue. During the first stage of construction, 44th Street will be closed between France Avenue and Sunnyside Avenue, with vehicles detoured along Sunnyside Avenue and Grimes Avenue.

France & 47th Street begins: week of June 10

• Construction is planned to begin on the west side of France Avenue. During the first stage of construction, 47th Street will be closed to through vehicles on the west side of France Avenue.

France & 50th Street begins: week of June 17

• Construction is planned to begin on the west side of France Avenue. During the first stage of construction, 50th Street will be closed to through vehicles on the west side of France Avenue, with vehicles detoured along Halifax and 51st Street (eastbound) and Market Street (westbound). Trucks will detour around the area via Wooddale Avenue, 58th Street, and Xerxes Avenue.

France & 54th Street begins: week of June 24

• Construction is planned to begin on the west side of France Avenue. 54th Street is planned to remain open to through vehicles.

France & 58th Street begins: week of July 1

• Construction is planned to begin on the west side of France Avenue. 58th Street is planned to remain open to through vehicles.

These dates are approximate and subject to change. More details about construction detours and signage will be made available as construction gets closer.

Construction work on several additional stations will begin this summer and fall including:

• Hennepin & 33rd Street
• Hennepin & 36th Street
• Sheridan & 39th Street
• 44th Street & Abbott
• France & 62nd Street
• Fairview Southdale Hospital

Several stations will also be constructed in 2024 through coordinated projects with Metro Transit’s partners including:

• Hennepin County – University and Fourth roadway improvements: 4th Street & Rec Center/Ridder Arena, 4th Street & 15th Avenue, 4th Street & 10th/11th Avenue
• Hennepin County – Hennepin and First roadway improvements: Hennepin/1st Avenue & 2nd Street NE
• City of Minneapolis – Hennepin Ave. S. Reconstruction: Uptown Transit Station

What to expect during construction

In addition to stations, E Line construction activities will also include installation of fiber optic communication infrastructure and construction of additional pedestrian, traffic signal, bikeway, and intersection improvements delivered in partnership with Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis.  

• Work in the corridor will include station construction, utility work, pavement and intersection improvements, and traffic signal changes.
• Expect temporary lane restrictions and marked detours for traffic.
• Pedestrian access will remain for businesses and residences.
• Buses will experience detours during construction. Up-to-date information about bus detours and temporary stop locations can be found at metrotransit.org/alerts and by subscription to Rider Alerts.  
• Construction will be staged at each station intersection to allow for vehicular traffic flow.

Business spotlight

Businesses will remain open during construction and you can get to know more about local businesses and how to access them during construction through our newsletter!  If you would like to have your business spotlighted email us here.

Questions about construction?

Any questions about construction can be directed to our construction hotline at 612-524-6050 or to the project email at ELine@metrotransit.org.

More information on the E Line project can be found on the project website.

E-mail: eline@metrotransit.org