Southwest LRT process and contacts
Alternatives for improved transit in the Southwest Corridor have been under study since the mid-1980s. In November 2009, the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority (HCRRA) recommended construction of a 14-mile light-rail transit (LRT) line between Eden Prairie and downtown Minneapolis. It would connect near Target Field with the Hiawatha and Central LRT lines, as well as the Northstar commuter rail line. As currently proposed, the $1.25 billion line would have 17 new stations.
On May 26, 2010, the Council selected the "locally preferred alternative" of light rail along the recommended Kenilworth-Opus-Golden Triangle alignment. At the same time, the Council amended the 2030 Transportation Policy Plan (TPP) to include rail along the corridor, making the project eligible for federal funding. See a June 2010 newsletter article: Southwest Corridor will be light rail, Council decides.
Light rail transit is expanding to the Southwest Corridor, one of our region’s most heavily traveled, linking downtown Minneapolis with the southwestern suburban cities of St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and passing close to Edina. This new light rail line will provide a fast, safe, reliable transportation choice and connect major activity centers in the region including:
- downtown Minneapolis
- the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes
- Methodist Hospital
- the Opus/Golden Triangle employment area
- Eden Prairie Center Mall
The new Southwest light rail transit (SWLRT) line will be part of an integrated system of transitways. Boarding at one of 17 new stations, passengers will have a one-seat ride to downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota and six other colleges and universities, the state Capitol and downtown St. Paul via interlining/through routing with the Central Corridor LRT.
Using connections from the Target Field Station, riders will also be able to access the Northstar Commuter Rail line and the proposed Bottineau Transitway, plus future commuter rail and intercity passenger rail lines. Southwest LRT will provide a new transportation option for the existing 210,000 employees who work in the corridor as well as 60,000 new jobs that are forecasted by 2030.
Delivery of Southwest LRT will create an estimated 150 design, engineering and management jobs; 3,500 construction jobs and 175 permanent operations and maintenance jobs. Improving regional access and offering mobility options to these regional centers of employment, businesses, education and entertainment will help ensure the region’s continued economic health and vitality.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Hennepin County continues to work on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which is being reviewed by FTA. The County will release the DEIS for public review and comment after they receive approval from the FTA to publish the document.
The Hennepin County Board established the Southwest LRT Community Works Project to support a comprehensive, integrated, collaborative planning approach. The project will work across multiple municipalities with the goal of having land use planning and LRT engineering inform each other to maximize the public benefit and investment in the Southwest LRT line.