148 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 12/5/14:

 

Twin Cities' Green Line extension obtains 85 percent of local funding

 

The Southwest light-rail project has reached local funding commitments for 85 percent of the cost required to seek the federal 50 percent match to build the $1.65 billion line, also known as Metro Transit's Green Line extension, according to a Metropolitan Council newsletter.

Story

[KevinKorell]

Minneapolis, MN Star-Tribune, 12/20/14:

Former Rep. Sabo questions federal share of Southwest LRT funding

 

A former congressman and vocal critic of the Southwest light-rail project is raising concerns that a new federal spending measure could make it harder for the government to come up with its half of the $1.6 billion for the transit line.

Read

[Sloan]

 

Park Board lawsuit on light-rail tunnel not worth the risks

The Minneapolis Park Board is making a big mistake by opposing an additional 26 feet of bridge for the Southwest project.

Entire Op-Ed here"

 

http://www.startribu.../286902111.html

[Sloan]

 

 

Dayton: Challenges could delay Southwest light rail

Prospects are dimming this year for the $1.65 billion Southwest light-rail line as stronger opposition at the State Capitol is added to a lawsuit by residents opposed to the line and other potential delays.

Although Gov. Mark Dayton still favors the line, even he is wondering if there’s enough support to push through the most expensive transportation project in state history.

http://www.startribu.../287870451.html

 

[KevinKorell]

Minneapolis, MN Star-Tribune, 1/27/15:

Dayton budget threatens Minneapolis Park Board cuts over Southwest light-rail stand

 

Gov. Mark Dayton threatened Tuesday to cut state aid for signature Minneapolis parks like the Chain of Lakes in retaliation for the Park and Recreation Board’s objections to Southwest light rail.

This is where the story continues.

[KevinKorell]

Minneapolis, MN Star-Tribune, 2/11/15:

New delays for Southwest LRT timeline with Met Council parkland analysis

 

Project organizers announced Wednesday night that the timeline had been bumped back about three months after federal transit officials agreed with a Minneapolis Park Board request for earlier environmental analysis. If all goes smoothly for the project — which so far it has not — the line would open at the tail end of 2019.

This story

[KevinKorell]

Editorial in Minneapolis, MN Star-Tribune, 2/11/15:

 

Find a compromise on Southwest LRT sticking point

 

The proposed Southwest light-rail line would bring benefits to the Twin Cities region and Minnesota. It would connect workers to jobs in the burgeoning southwest suburbs, a dynamic downtown Minneapolis and other points along a nearly 16-mile line that would travel through portions of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie.

 

Entire editorial

[Sloan]

 

 

Mpls Park Board ends fight over Southwest light rail

 

The Minneapolis Park Board is dropping its objections to the Southwest Corridor light rail project, removing some of the legal uncertainty surrounding the most expensive transit project in state history.

http://www.mprnews.o...idor-light-rail

 

I don't like the bridge design.  Far better visually, IMO as a non-engineer, to have a clear span using a truss bridge.

Sloan

[KevinKorell]

Minneapolis, MN Star-Tribune, 2/25/15:

 

Southwest LRT rift over Kenilworth corridor plays out in federal court

 

The battle over the biggest public transit project in Minnesota history shifted Wednesday to a federal courtroom in Minneapolis, where attorneys fought over whether it was too soon for a lawsuit from critics of the proposed route of the Southwest light rail.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 3/2/15:

 

Met Council, Minneapolis parks agency agree on bridge option for Southwest light-rail project

 

The Metropolitan Council and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff reached an agreement late last week that will allow the proposed Southwest light-rail transit project known as the Green Line Extension to cross the Kenilworth Channel.

Story here.