Metro Transit kicks off Mall of America station renovations

Metro Transit leaders yesterday joined local officials to break ground on a $25 million renovation project at the Mall of America Transit Center, which is Minnesota's busiest transit hub.

The 25-year-old transit center was last upgraded in 2004, when Metro Transit's Blue Line light-rail route opened, agency officials said in a press release.

The hub, which logs more than 5,600 boardings each day, serves as a connection point for light rail, the Red Line bus-rapid transit route and dozens of other bus lines.

As part of the renovations, crews will build a bus-only entrance to the center, which will help reduce delays created by traffic back-ups. In addition, buses will no longer cross light-rail tracks at the center — a change that's expected to boost safety for bus riders.

The updated transit center also will provide passengers a direct connection to the mall's east entrance. Other renovations include lighting improvements, emergency telephones and NexTrip real-time departure signs.

Inside the center, there will be a new police substation and operator break room.

Mall of America owner Triple Five Group is providing the land for the new transit center.

The city of Bloomington, Minnesota, is contributing funds toward the project. Other funding sources include Metro Transit dollars, Minnesota state bonds and federal grants.