Met Council, Hennepin County agree to extend Blue Line Extension project funding through '24

The Metropolitan Council in Minneapolis and Hennepin County Board have approved a grant agreement that will provide $75.3 million in county funds for the Metro Transit Blue Line Extension light-rail project to keep work going through the end of 2024.

The new funding agreement will allow the project to:
• continue engineering and consulting services necessary to advance design and environmental analysis;
• continue extensive outreach and engagement efforts;
• advance implementation of strategies to build community prosperity and prevent displacement;
• update ridership projections;
• prepare an updated cost estimate and schedule; and
• prepare plans and other technical information required to seek municipal consent from cities along the corridor

The funding agreement also establishes a governance process for the project and identifies responsibilities between Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council that makes changes in governance compared to previous transitway projects, Met Council officials said in a press release.

The proposed project would extend existing Blue Line from Target Field Station northwest to Brooklyn Park and connect communities along the way.