Latest news about the Southwest Transitway
updated: Friday, May 11, 2012Southwest Transitway
The proposed Southwest Transitway Light Rail Transit (LRT) line is a high-frequency train serving the rapidly growing southwest metro area – Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis neighborhoods, and downtown Minneapolis.
See Hennepin County's website at www.southwesttransitway.org for more details.
What's New
May 10, 2012 Statement from Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh regarding the 2012 Legislative Session:
A bonding bill that omits Southwest Light Rail misses a tremendous opportunity for the state and the Twin Cities region. I'm disappointed that the Governor's original bonding proposal was scaled back in a way that leaves out this important investment, which has the strong support of business and the six communities along the line.
By leaving out Southwest Light Rail, the Legislature put up a serious impediment to private sector job creation along the corridor. The State of Minnesota must continue to make smart investments in critical public infrastructure projects for the region like Southwest Light Rail in order to grow our economy - just as it did with Central Corridor during the previous administration. Local, state and federal partners must contribute to and prioritize this project now and in the future if it is to succeed.
The urgent need for this line requires that we begin exploring other temporary funding alternatives to keep the project on track until the 2013 legislature has the opportunity to fund the state's share of the project. In the coming weeks, I'll be talking with our local funding partners and the Dayton Administration about how to keep Southwest Light Rail progressing and how to ensure the project remains competitive for federal dollars.
Upcoming Meetings
Staff Contact
The primary staff contact for the City of St. Louis Park working on the Southwest Transitway project is Meg McMonigal, Planning and Zoning Supervisor. For questions related to the Southwest Transitway project in St. Louis Park, please call the St. Louis Park Community Development Department at 952-924-2575.
Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority Recommends Southwest LRT 3A
The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) voted on the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project’s Locally Preferred Alternative on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. The HCRRA unanimously voted to recommend LRT 3A to the Metropolitan Council for inclusion in its 2030 Transportation Plan. The agenda, minutes, and video from the meeting are available here.
