BACKGROUND
A proposed 14-mile light rail corridor extending southwest from downtown Minneapolis through Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie.
| Project Completion Under Transportation Choices 2020 |
Project Completion Under Metropolitan Council Plan |
| 2015 |
2030 |
PROJECT UPDATES, NEWS, AND EVENTS
UPDATES
- Southwest Transitway Takes Steps Toward Launching Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA), in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), is launching the Southwest Transitway DEIS, the next major phase of project development for the proposed light rail transit (LRT) line. “This is quite a substantial step for the Southwest Transitway project and one that puts it in the queue right behind the Central Corridor LRT project which will connect downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul,” said Gail Dorfman, Hennepin County Commissioner and Chair of the Southwest Policy Advisory Committee. “We’ve had broad-based community and business support in getting to this stage. We’ve worked as a team and that’s essential.”
- Three Routes Being Evaluated. The Alternatives Analysis, which was conducted in 2007, determined three route options. The routes were chosen based on transportation efficiency and the overall impact to the surrounding area.
NEWS
No news at this time.
EVENTS
- Scoping Meetings in Early October 2008. To launch the DEIS, the HCRRA is hosting public “scoping” meetings giving the public an opportunity to review and comment on alternatives for improving transit service in the southwest metro area. The meetings consist of an open house to learn more about the project and a public hearing - a forum for comment.
Scoping meeting information is as follows:
Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Hennepin County Government Center (300 South 6th St., Minneapolis, 612 348 3169). Open House 2 p.m.; Public Hearing 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 at the St. Louis Park City Hall (5005 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park, 55416). Open House 5 p.m.; Public Hearing 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Eden Prairie City Hall (8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, 55344). Open House 5 p.m.; Public Hearing 6 p.m.
PROJECT RESOURCES
Southwest Transitway website
