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METRO E Line construction update: April 11, 2025

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We have updated our construction map for the METRO E Line.  You can find it at the top of our project web page.  

Work is happening at these stations:

Dates are approximate and subject to change.

University & Malcolm:

Week of April 14:

• Southbound turns onto Malcolm from University will be prohibited during the first stage of construction.
• Metro Transit contractors will set up traffic control and begin sawcutting and removal of concrete.
• This work includes the use of heavy machinery, and impacts such as vibrations, loud noise, and dust and debris are to be expected.

Week of April 21:

• Crews will work on underground utilities.
• Crews will work to grade surfaces in preparation for concrete work.

University & 27th Avenue:

Week of April 14:

• 27th Avenue will be closed to northbound and southbound traffic at the south end of the intersection.
• Metro Transit contractors will set up traffic control and begin sawcutting and removal of concrete.
• This work includes the use of heavy machinery, and impacts such as vibrations, loud noise, and dust and debris are to be expected.
• Crews will work on underground utilities.

Week of April 21:

• Crews will continue to work on underground utilities.
• Crews will work to grade surfaces in preparation for concrete work.

Hennepin & Gateway:

Week of April 14:

• Signage will be placed to inform of upcoming construction

Week of April 21:

• Metro Transit contractors will set up traffic control and begin sawcutting and removal of concrete.
• This work includes the use of heavy machinery, and impacts such as vibrations, loud noise, and dust and debris are to be expected.

Hennepin and 36th Street:

Week of April 21:

• Xcel Energy is currently working to relocate electrical facilities in preparation for E Line construction at this location.
• Following completion of Xcel utility work, Metro Transit contractors will set up traffic control and begin removals. This work is anticipated to begin the week of April 21.
• Crews will begin with sawcutting and removal of concrete.
• This work includes the use of heavy machinery, and impacts such as vibrations, loud noise, and dust and debris are to be expected.

Richfield Road & Bde Maka Ska:

Week of April 14:

• Crews will continue work on underground utilities.
• Crews will grade surfaces in preparation for concrete work and begin to construct new curbs.

Week of April 21:

• Crews will continue work on underground utilities.
• Crews will work to construct roadway surfaces and bus shelter foundations.
• Crews will grade surfaces in preparation for asphalt.

Sheridan and 39th:

The starting date for work at this station to resolve utility conflicts has been delayed.

Week of April 28:

• Traffic control will be set up at this intersection.
• Crews will begin with sawcutting and removal of concrete.
• This work includes the use of heavy machinery, and impacts such as vibrations, loud noise, and dust and debris are to be expected.

44th Street and Abbott:

The northbound E Line platform at this intersection was constructed in 2024. The following details are specific to the southbound platform (on the north side of 44th Street).

Week of April 14:

• Crews will construct new curbs and roadway surfaces.
• Crews will continue to construct platform foundations.

Week of April 21:

• Crews will construct new sidewalks.

France & 62nd Street

A full closure of France Avenue at 62nd Street has been approved for up to 3 weeks.  This closure will begin April 14. During this full closure BOTH northbound and southbound traffic will use the detour on Xerxes Avenue between 60th Street and 66th Street.

Week of April 14:

• The detour outlined above begins.
• Crews will begin pavement removals in the center of the street in preparation for construction of a median.
• This work includes the use of heavy machinery, and impacts such as vibrations, loud noise, and dust and debris are to be expected.
• Crews will construct a concrete median and roadway surfaces.

Week of April 21:

• Crews will continue to pave roadway surfaces.

Southdale Hospital

• Access to Southdale Hospital and Southdale Medical Center parking lots and garages will be maintained during construction.
• France Avenue can be accessed from the Hospital and Medical Center by taking Drew Avenue to 66th Street.

Week of April 14:

• Crews will continue underground electrical work.
• Crews will construct sidewalks and shelter foundations.

Week of April 21:

• Crews will construct sidewalks and shelter foundations.
• Crews will grade surfaces to prepare for asphalt

Additional work that will happen this year:

Final completion of stations will occur this year as Metro Transit prepares for the launch of E Line service. After civil construction of station platforms is complete, installation of station amenities (including shelters, real-time signs, bike racks, and benches) and equipment testing will occur. These activities are expected to take only a few days at each site and will cause minimal disruption to traffic.

Platform construction will also be completed at several stations through coordinated projects with Metro Transit’s partners including:

• Hennepin County – University and Fourth roadway improvements: University & U of M Rec Center, University & 15th Avenue, University & 11th Avenue   
• City of Minneapolis – Hennepin Ave. S. Reconstruction: Hennepin & Franklin, Hennepin & 25th Street

What to expect during construction

In addition to stations, E Line construction activities 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 includes 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 featured, email us here.

Questions about construction?

Metro Transit is selecting the next planned arterial bus rapid transit lines

Thank you for continuing to engage with us on the E Line project. As the E Line moves towards beginning service, our next step is to look at the arterial bus rapid transit lines that would open beyond the Network Now horizon of 2027- an effort called the arterial bus rapid transit (BRT) Plan Update.

The arterial bus rapid transit (BRT) Plan Update will identify the next three planned arterial BRT lines, the J, K, and L lines, planned to open between 2030 and 2035. These lines will join the growing METRO network of fast, frequent, all-day service between comfortable stations with enhanced amenities. 

The Plan Update will start from 17 candidate corridors and narrow down to the J, K, and L Line through technical evaluation, public feedback, and coordination with cities, counties, and MnDOT. 

Please review the initial candidate corridors to share your feedback.

Learn more and sign up for project updates.

E-mail: eline@metrotransit.org