First tracks placed for Southwest Green Line LRT Extension

The first light-rail transit (LRT) tracks have been placed for the Metro Transit Southwest light-rail Green Line extension (Southwest LRT).

The rail was installed in Hopkins, Minnesota, near the future Downtown Hopkins Station in Hennepin County.

This milestone brings the project one step closer to connecting the communities of Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park and Minneapolis, according to a joint news release issued by the Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County and Metro Transit.

Currently, Southwest LRT construction is more than 50% complete, with 11 of the 16 stations under construction or nearly complete. 

Southwest LRT will be a 14.5-mile line with 16 stations serving Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, nearby Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Despite being under construction, Southwest LRT has already generated more than $1.5 billion worth of investments within a half-mile of the line, according to the news release.