New LRT station to anchor mixed-use development
A new Hiawatha light rail station, anticipated to serve as the transportation anchor for transit-oriented development in Bloomington, opened on Dec. 12.
Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead and Metropolitan Council Member Polly Bowles presided at the ribbon-cutting for the new American Boulevard Station on the Hiawatha light rail line.
The American Boulevard Station is located on 34th Avenue just south of I-494/Hwy 5, and is part of the Bloomington’s Airport South District.
“American Boulevard Station is an important and visible component in Bloomington’s vision to transform this area into a sustainable, urban environment with a mix of residential, commercial and retail uses that capitalize on our unique assets – converging transit routes, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Mall of America and proximity to the airport,” said Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead. “Because we are focusing over the next decade on the economic, environmental, cultural and social aspects of development, the Airport South District will be viewed as a great place to live, work and play.”
Winstead, along with officials from the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County, spoke at a brief ceremony at the station on Dec. 9.
Station features split platform
Construction of the $2.4 million station began in June 2009 and was financed through a combination of sources from the Bloomington Port Authority, Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority, Metropolitan Council and federal grants. It is the first Hiawatha station to feature a split-platform design with trains headed to Minneapolis stopping north of American Boulevard and Mall-bound trains stopping south of the intersection.
“We commend the City of Bloomington for integrating public transportation into its development framework,” said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb. “This is the fourth light-rail station in the city. Bloomington also hosts a major transit hub at Mall of America and it is a key supporter of the Cedar Avenue transitway.”
More than 10 million passengers boarded Hiawatha LRT in 2008, exceeding ridership projections for 2020.
American Boulevard Station was built by crews from Sheehy Construction Company of St. Paul and its subcontractors. Sheehy also is the lead contractor on the project that is lengthening Hiawatha station platforms to accommodate the future use of three-car trains.
“We at Hennepin County are pleased to contribute financially to the continued success of transit options in the City of Bloomington,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Randy Johnson. “Using public transportation to help foster sustainable community growth and development is the type of good government that the County encourages.”