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6/24/2022
The Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County Board in Minnesota have approved a new route for Metro Transit's Blue Line Extension project in the Minneapolis area.
The route adoption advances the light-rail project after the transit agency's Corridor Management Committee approved the route recommendation last week. The agency will continue environmental, design, engineering and anti-displacement activities in preparation for full funding under a grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration, Metro Council officials said in a press release.
“With the new route officially recognized, I look forward to continuing our conversations with community partners and bringing this project across the finish line," said Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle.
The Met Council and Hennepin County Board have hosted numerous community meetings over the past 18 months to shape the route recommendation. Project leaders will continue to solicit public input as the project moves into the next phase, Met Council officials said.
The municipal consent process is expected to begin in 2023, with construction to commence in 2025. The Anti-Displacement Work Group, facilitated by the University of Minnesota's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, is working toward actionable policies to minimize potential displacement of residents during the project's construction.