Transportation into downtown Minneapolis and to some of the other suburbs surrounding Edina will be easier and better for the environment starting in 2017. That’s when the SouthWest Corridor light rail transit line should be operational.
The line will run from downtown Minneapolis into Eden Prairie. Along the way, there will be three stops in St. Louis Park—Beltline, Wooddale and Louisiana—and three stops in Hopkins—Blake, Hopkins and Shady Oak. While not actually stopping in Edina, some of the stations will be conveniently located to Edina residents.
Once it’s up and running, hopefully by 2017, an estimated 30,000 people will ride the LRT daily, comparable to the Hiawatha line’s current ridership. When riders transfer lines they will be able to travel on to the airport, the Mall of America, the University of Minnesota, downtown St. Paul and many other places in between.
Current plans have the SouthWest rail running 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, with higher frequency of trains running during traditional commuter hours.
Building the line will cost $1.2 billion, with 50% coming from federal funds, 30% from current transit sales tax funds, 10% from Hennepin County funds, and the final 10% from Minnesota state funds.
Want to find out more? Visit the SouthWest Transitway website at www.SouthWestTransitway.org.
Still need to submit your thoughts on the light rail system? The public comment period ends April 22. To comment, send an email to the Regional Data Center, data.center@metc.state.mn.us, or call 651.602.1500 (TTY 651.291.0904) to record a comment on the Public Comment Line.
The following SouthWest Transit meetings are scheduled through May:
Community Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 28, 6 pm
Wolfe Lake Professional Center
5000 W 36th St.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Policy Advisory Committee Meeting
May 12, 8 am
St. Louis Park City Hall
5005 Minnetonka Boulevard
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Southest LRT Open House
May 18, 11:30 am
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Southwest LRT Open House
May 19, 5 pm
SouthWest Transit Station
13500 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Southwest LRT Open House
May 20, 5 pm
St. Louis Park City Hall
5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Community Advisory Committee Meeting
May 26, 6 pm
Wolfe Lake Professional Center
5000 W. 36th St.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
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Want to find a location for your home or business that is close to the future SouthWest Transitway line?
Whether you are looking in Edina or elsewhere in Hennepin County, contact me, Kim Melin, today.
Check out my website for help in buying a home in the Minneapolis area.
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